The struggle for social integration in the community--the experiences of people with mental health problems

The goal of social integration is part of the ideological motivation behind the transition from institutionalized to decentralized psychiatry. Modern community mental health care considers social integration as vital for improving mental health. However, reports suggest that efforts to socially integrate people who suffer from mental health problems have not been as successful as anticipated. The aim of this study was to explore how people with mental health problems experience their ability to integrate socially into a community in central Norway. Three multistage focus groups, consisting of 17 people with mental health problems, were set up in two counties of different sizes. In this explorative study, data were analysed using a qualitative content analysis method. The participants experienced shame and fear of exclusion in their struggle to become integrated in the community. They had a sense of loneliness, had to struggle for equality and experienced being neglected. The days passed very slowly and they reported a lack of financial resources. They wanted to work or take part in other daytime activities and sought reciprocal relationships. In conclusion, those working in community mental health care need to ensure that people suffering from mental health problems experience a sense of belonging in the community, thus enabling them to develop a network and achieve social integration.