Experience of People with Severe Mental Illness in Using Community Mental Health Services: A Systematic Review of Exploratory Research Using Photovoice

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the experience of using community mental health services from the perspective of people with severe mental illness.Methods: The key research question was, "How was the experience of people with severe mental illnesses using community mental health services in studies using photovoice?" A systematic search was performed using seven core electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, RISS, KISS, and DBpia). Results: A total of nine studies out of 3,041 were included in the review. Seven central themes were identified through the thematic analysis: "growing hope," "continuing treatment with insight into the illness," "feeling a sense of achievement and improving self-esteem," "feeling joy, stability and connectedness," "pursuing a proactive life," "wanting to live a life that helps others," and "experiencing frustration." Conclusion: The experience of using community mental health services by people with severe mental illness was similar to the experience of recovery. The use of community mental health services and the expansion of the peer support program and supported housing services are needed to promote recovery and improve the quality of life of people with severe mental illness.