Exploring the lived experiences and coping strategies of mental health caregivers in Ethiopia: implications for supportive interventions

Family caregivers of people with mental illness often face significant stress, stigma, and unequal responsibilities that affect their wellbeing and the quality of care they provide. This mixed-methods study in northwest Ethiopia explored coping strategies and experiences among 592 caregivers. Results showed that caregivers had relatively low coping levels, with factors such as being female, older age, farming occupation, longer illness duration, and repeated hospitalizations linked to lower adaptive coping. Higher caregiving burden and psychological distress were strongly associated with maladaptive coping, while social support played a protective role. Overall, caregivers reported major emotional, financial, and social challenges. The findings highlight the need for stronger caregiver support systems, including interventions to reduce burden, improve mental health, and enhance social support within mental health services.