Perceived barriers on mental health services by the family of patients with mental illness

Background: Various efforts have been made by the Indonesian government to improve mental health services. In 2014, the government established Law no 18, which is about mental health and the treatment of people with mental illness covered by the universal health coverage. However, many people still experience difficulty in accessing mental health services. In Indonesia, family plays the role of a caregiver to people with mental illness. Objective: This study aims to identify the perceived barriers on mental health services by families whose members suffers from mental illness. Methods: This study is a qualitative research study with a phenomenological approach. Sampling was conducted by purposive sampling with a sample size of 12 participants. Data were collected using semistructured in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was performed using Colaizzi steps. Results: The obtained results presented three themes. Theme 1, mental health service affordability; theme 2, mental health service availability; and theme 3, negative attitudes (stigma). Conclusion: Families whose members suffered from mental illness still experienced barriers in relation to mental health services even with universal health coverage. Improved mental health services are related to the health insurance coverage, affordability, availability of mental health services and stigma reduction in the health professionals and wide community.