Community Response to Mental Illness in Ado-Ekiti

ABSTRACT Mental illness remains a critical public health and social issue, particularly in communities where stigma and inadequate healthcare infrastructure limit access to effective treatment. This study explores community attitudes towards individuals with mental illness in Ado Ekiti, the availability and effectiveness of community-based mental health services, and strategies for reducing stigma while enhancing community support. Using a sociological approach, the study examines how cultural beliefs, social structures, and institutional responses shape perceptions and treatment of mental health issues. A qualitative research design was adopted, involving semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with sixty respondents, findings reveal that negative attitudes towards mental illness persist in Ado Ekiti, largely due to cultural misconceptions linking mental illness to supernatural forces, curses, or spiritual afflictions. Many respondents acknowledged that individuals with mental illness face severe discrimination, social exclusion, and negative labeling, often being referred to with derogatory terms. The study further highlights the inadequate availability of community-based mental health services. While some hospitals and informal support systems exist, they are largely inaccessible due to financial constraints, lack of awareness, and cultural resistance to seeking professional help. The role of the government in mental health service provision is minimal, with inadequate funding, limited infrastructure, and a shortage of trained professionals. Religious institutions play a significant role in addressing mental health concerns, though their interventions primarily focus on spiritual solutions rather than medical treatments.