The Importance of Social Support for Rural Mental Health

Abstract

While the mentally ill are considered to be vulnerable as a group, those who are mentally ill and reside in rural communities are at a greater disadvantage due to limited access to health care, a scarcity of resources, and traditional cultural belief systems. Social support has been found to have a direct effect on the well-being of families and individuals. Specific strategies are presented which will assist rural health nurses in providing the support systems necessary to help rural residents in managing and coping with stress and mental health problems.

Perceptions Regarding Medical Management of Clubfoot in Kenya

“…This disconect may affect compliance especially when the father is the sole care taker of the child. Similarly, fathers who are disconnected from their children treatment deprived the mothers/caregivers the social support most needed for adherence as previously mentioned (Letvak, 2002;Al Poire, 2000). Additionally, some of the cultures consider clubfoot as a curse or punishment for wrong doing hence no support is offered to these children and their family.…”

“…However, some of the ways in which families with children that have physical disability take care of stress during management and care of their children is through the use of support systems (Hanneman & Blacher (1998 Hanneman & Blacher, 1998). Letvak (2002) and Kazdin and Wassell (2000) further found that families with good social support experience less challenges during the treatment period, are able to keep the treatment appointment and successfully complete the treatment regime than those without social support.…”

Mental Health Literacy Among Youth in Surakarta

“…Teachers and student must be able to seek and provide social support in order to prevent and treatment of mental disorders. Letvak (2002), found that social support have direct effect on wellbeing of individuals and families. Meanwhile, students with lower quality of social support were more likely to have mental health problems (Hefner, 2009).…”

Masthead

“…Geographical, economic and cultural factors often impede access to specialized children's mental health services (Kelleher et al 1992;Letvak 2002). In sparsely populated areas, costs associated with travel and time off work pose barriers to accessing care.…”