Health · Medical Research · 4 hrs ago
Peer-led recovery groups aim to help people with schizophrenia stay out of hospital
Lithemba Ngalo has spent more than a year in an inpatient mental health facility after repeated periods of illness and hospital care.
His brother Phumelele, 37, has been his main caregiver for a decade in Gqeberha, in South Africa’s Nelson Mandela Bay.
Lithemba was diagnosed with schizophrenia after years when his family thought he had severe depression.
Medication and healthy routines can help manage schizophrenia, but Lithemba has stopped taking his medication when he began to feel better.
The brothers’ experiences helped researchers understand the needs of people living with severe mental health conditions in the area.
Researchers used those experiences to develop and pilot peer-led community recovery groups that could help people stay well at home and avoid costly inpatient care.
The groups are being tested as a way to support recovery in the community, but the information available does not say what results they have achieved.
Community-based recovery groups led by peers were developed and piloted in Nelson Mandela Bay to support people with severe mental health conditions.
The groups are intended to help people such as Lithemba Ngalo stay well at home and avoid costly inpatient care.
Lithemba has been in an inpatient mental healthcare facility for more than a year after repeated periods of care.
His brother Phumelele has been his main caregiver for the past 10 years.
The brothers’ experiences helped researchers understand the needs of people living with severe mental health conditions.
- Who
- Peer-led recovery groups and people living with severe mental health conditions, including Lithemba Ngalo.
- What
- The groups were developed and piloted to support community-based recovery and help people stay out of hospital.
- When
- Researchers spoke with the Ngalo brothers a few years ago. Exact dates for the group pilot are not stated.
- Where
- Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa.
- Why
- The groups aim to help people manage their conditions at home and avoid costly inpatient care.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A doctor diagnosed Lithemba with schizophrenia after years of symptoms.
The Ngalo brothers spoke to researchers studying the needs of people with severe mental health conditions in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Lithemba returned to an inpatient mental healthcare facility.
Phumelele spoke with Lithemba by phone, and Lithemba asked when he would be discharged.
- Location
- Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa
- Group model
- Community-based recovery groups led by peers
- Pilot purpose
- Help people stay healthy at home and avoid inpatient care
- Caregiver
- Phumelele Ngalo has cared for Lithemba for 10 years
- Hospital stay
- Lithemba has been in an inpatient mental healthcare facility for more than a year
What people are saying
When you come back home, you have to take your medication. Otherwise, you're gonna go back there again.
Why can't you just be steady? Why can't you just sit next to me?