Social worker’s experiences of rendering psychosocial services in mental healthcare settings in South Africa

Social workers play a crucial role in providing psychosocial services to mental health care users in South Africa. However, their lived experiences in this field remain underexplored, especially in resource-limited settings like Mpumalanga Province. This qualitative study investigated the experiences of 11 social workers delivering psychosocial services to mental health care users in the Mpumalanga Province: Mbombela, Bushbuckridge and Lydenburg districts, focusing on their professional roles, challenges, and resilience. Using a phenomenological approach, data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with social workers from three of the Mpumalanga Mental Health Societies. Thematic analysis revealed four main themes: understanding mental health social work; professional role and responsibilities; organisational and supervisory support structures; and challenges and facilitators in service delivery. Results showed that social workers operate within complex, under-resourced systems, often lacking adequate funding, family support, or interdisciplinary collaboration. Despite these hurdles, participants displayed resilience through peer support, innate motivation, and advocacy for their clients. The study highlights the urgent need for enhanced support in terms of finances, stakeholder support and well as family commitment; structured supervision, and professional recognition for social workers in the mental health sector. Improving these aspects is essential to ensuring effective and sustainable psychosocial services within South Africa’s public health system.