From struggle to sense-making: lived experiences of youth with mental health disorders

Purpose This paper aims to elaborate on the lived experiences of youth who have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. The study was conducted in the National Capital Region (NCR) with a sample of 25 young individuals aged between 18 and 29 years. A qualitative approach was used, and participants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview guide and a drawing task titled “Flow of Life.” Reflexive Thematic analysis was used for data analysis, which involved identifying patterns in the data. Design/methodology/approach The primary aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of youth with mental health problems. Specifically, it sought to understand how young people experience their symptoms, conceptualize their diagnosis, navigate the process of seeking professional help and formulate their opinions on medication and recovery. Findings Participants in the current study emphasized that mental health problems exist along a continuum and highlighted the inherent complexity in defining them. They stressed feelings of being unacknowledged and reported the pervasive nature of stigma across various settings. Both diagnosis and medication were perceived as mixed blessings. Participants actively sought to make sense of their experiences and were not passive recipients of services or information. Originality/value Despite growing global attention, there remains limited research that focuses on the voices of individuals diagnosed with mental health problems, particularly within the Indian context. This paper seeks to address this gap by focusing on the lived experiences of youth who have received a mental health diagnosis. These findings can help inform youth-centred mental health services and policy interventions in India.