Who Cares for Us? Caregivers' Narratives of Involuntary Admission to Psychiatric Hospital

Objective: Mental health caregivers' perspectives are often overlooked within the literature. Harnessing these perspectives is important as they may influence service users' engagement to treatment and outcome, as well as caregivers' ability to provide care. This study aims to provide a preliminary and exploratory account of mental health caregivers' experiences of involuntary admission of a relative. In particular, it focuses on caregivers' perceptions of coercion surrounding the admission and events leading up to it, and how they interpret such perceptions after discharge. Methods: Semistructured interviews with 14 caregivers took place in Ireland and Connecticut, USA. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Involuntary admission of relatives was met with relief, guilt, and sadness by caregivers, who perceived the use of coercion as a necessary tool to ensure their own and their relatives' safety and wellbeing. Conclusion: While hospitalization was regarded as a vehicle to recovery that provided hope to families, caregivers conveyed substantial challenges in accessing aftercare and preparing for possible future readmissions.