People with mental illness in the mainstream Muslim community : narratives from Maguindanaons

Abstract

This narrative study sought to discover the experiences of Maguindanaon ethnolinguistic group regarding people with mental illness in the mainstream (PMIM). Purposive sampling, a non-probability sample approach, was used to pick nine (9) Muslim participants for this study. The results were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The community's experiences showed four themes: risk of aggression and violence, unusual and off the wall actuations, wretchedness and abject despondency, and facts and myths about mental illness. Moreover, coping mechanisms revealed five themes which are strong faith in Allah, giving and seeking intervention and support, generosity of spirit, kindness and acceptance, and avoidance among this individual. Finally, issues such as a lack of spiritual foundation and faith in Allah, major stress and trauma in life, lack of appropriate treatment and mental health professionals, lack of treatment facilities, and all kinds of support emerged from the participants' insights. The need for mental health professionals, treatment facilities and psychoeducation in Muslim local community are strongly recommended to help community in dealing people suffering from mental illness. Keywords: mental illness, mainstream, muslim community, maguindanaons, narratives, thematic content analysis, Philippines