Abstract
BackgroundYoung adults living with mental illnesses often experience a flood of powerful negative emotions, including anger, anxiety and depression. Some of these young adults remain trapped in their negative emotions long after the stressful events that caused them have passed, whilst resilient young adults without mental illness are able to quickly bounce back to their normal emotional state.ObjectivesThe objective of the study was to explore the social supports of young adults living with mental illness in the city of Tshwane.MethodsThis was a qualitative explorative study conducted in the city of Tshwane in 2018 amongst young adults living with mental illness, using a semi-structured interview schedule.ResultsThose young adults living with mental illness who had support from family and friends were able to cope with stressful challenges and had a better outlook for the future, whilst those who perceived their relationship with friends and family as not supportive reported low self-esteem and difficulties dealing with challenging and stressful situations in their lives.ConclusionResilience was seen in those young people living with mental illness with support from family and friends, who had positive future prospects, those with high self-esteem and those who were able to adapt to changing situations beyond their control.
Highlights
Introduction and backgroundMental illnesses rank third in their contribution to the burden of disease in South Africa, and in 2012, approximately one in six South Africans experienced a common mental illness such as depression, anxiety or substance use illness (Lund et al 2012:402)
The objective of the study was to explore the social supports of young adults living with mental illness in the city of Tshwane. This was a qualitative explorative study conducted in the city of Tshwane in 2018 amongst young adults living with mental illness, using a semi-structured interview schedule. Those young adults living with mental illness who had support from family and friends were able to cope with stressful challenges and had a better outlook for the future, whilst those who perceived their relationship with friends and family as not supportive reported low selfesteem and difficulties dealing with challenging and stressful situations in their lives
Resilience was seen in those young people living with mental illness with support from family and friends, who had positive future prospects, those with high self-esteem and those who were able to adapt to changing situations beyond their control
Summary
Introduction and backgroundMental illnesses rank third in their contribution to the burden of disease in South Africa, and in 2012, approximately one in six South Africans experienced a common mental illness such as depression, anxiety or substance use illness (Lund et al 2012:402). Poor mental health is related to other health and development concerns in young people, such as lower educational achievements, substance abuse, violence, and poor reproductive and sexual health (Sharan & Sagar 2007) They are often first detected later in life, several mental illnesses have their onset at ages 14–35 years (WHO 2001). Young adults living with mental illnesses often experience a flood of powerful negative emotions, including anger, anxiety and depression Some of these young adults remain trapped in their negative emotions long after the stressful events that caused them have passed, whilst resilient young adults without mental illness are able to quickly bounce back to their normal emotional state
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