The Lived Experiences of Persons with Mental Health Disorders in Public Sector Employment in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Aims: Relative to studies of lived experiences of people with mental health disorders in developed countries, no research has focused on the lived experiences of persons living with mental health disorders in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria in general. Mental health services are not provided at the primary health care level, and only one state hospital provides these services for Rivers State and the surrounding four states. The current understanding of the phenomenology of employment and wellbeing is almost entirely based on studies carried out in developed countries. This study sought to explore the lived experiences of persons with mental health disorders in a public sector employment, to better understand their lived experiences of being employed and to acquire knowledge in an effort to develop supportive programmes for individuals to achieve positive working outcomes.

Methodology: Six people working in the public sector who attended an outpatient clinic of the only regional mental health service were interviewed using a qualitative descriptive-phenomenological design.

Results: Participants reported that work boosts their self worth, information about the disorders and educational supports received from mental health professionals contribute to an improved health and enhance job performance and the value of spiritual support but identified a range of challenges.

Conclusion: Implications for policy are discussed.