Pathways and Access to Mental Health Care Services by Persons Living with Severe Mental Disorders and Epilepsy in Uganda, Liberia and Nepal: A Qualitative Study

BMC Psychiatry

By 
Rose Kisa, 
Florence Baingana, 
Rehema Kajungu, 
Patrick O. Mangen, 
Mangesh Angdembe, 
Wilfred Gwaikolo & Janice Cooper

Background

Access to mental health care services for patients with neuropsychiatric disorders remains low especially in post-conflict, low and middle income countries. Persons with mental health conditions and epilepsy take many different paths when they access formal and informal care for their conditions. This study conducted across three countries sought to provide preliminary data to inform program development on access to care. It thus sought to assess the different pathways persons with severe mental disorders and epilepsy take when accessing care. It also sought to identify the barriers to accessing care that patients face.