EXPLORING THE AWARENESS GAP: A STUDY ON MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE AWARENESS AMONG PRIMARY CAREGIVERS OF MENTALLY ILL PATIENTS IN BAPUJI HOSPITAL, DAVANGERE

Background:The awareness and understanding of mental health services among primary caregivers of mentally ill patients are crucial for the well-being of both caregivers and patients. However, an awareness gap exists, hindering caregivers ability to access and utilize available mental health resources effectively. This gap is influenced by factors such as stigma, lack of education, and the complex nature of mental health services. Addressing this gap can lead to better patient outcomes, reduced caregiver burnout, more efficient resource allocation, and contribute to stigma reduction. Methods:A cross sectional survey method was used to collect the data using a structured awareness questionnaire from 100 caregivers of mentally ill patients based on non- probability purposive sampling.at Bapuji Hospital, Davangere. Results:Majority of the primary caregivers (72%) have inadequate level of awareness on mental health services and 28 % of primary caregivers had moderate level of awareness on mental health services. The binary logistic regression shows that educational status, previous exposure and source of awareness were significantly associated with the awareness level of mental health services. Conclusion:The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted education and outreach programs to bridge this gap. Addressing this issue can lead to improved access to essential mental health services and better overall outcomes for both patients and caregivers.