Barriers to mental health care among severe mental illness in rural India: A qualitative study

Individuals with severe mental illness and their caregivers face multifaceted barriers to accessing mental health care in rural India. Semi-structured interviews with 20 participants revealed key impediments including travel distance, financial burden, limited service availability, stigma, reliance on traditional healers and poor illness insight. Thus, we show the need for culturally tailored, community-based and telepsychiatry solutions. Strengthening primary care through integration and caregiver support may enhance access and engagement.