Assessing the Effectiveness of Mental Health Coping Strategies Among Households in Kalingalinga, Lusaka, Zambia

In low-resource communities where access to mental healthcare is restricted, mental health disorders continue to be a significant public health concern. This study evaluated how well households in Kalingalinga Township, Lusaka, Zambia, used coping mechanisms for mental health. It specifically looked at family coping mechanisms, the impact of social support networks in the community, and household coping strategies in handling mental health issues. 50 respondents were surveyed and key informant interviews were conducted as part of a mixed-methods research strategy. Thematic analysis was used in conjunction with descriptive and inferential statistics to analyse the data. The results showed that the most popular coping mechanisms were religious involvement, community social networks, and family support. While stigma, financial limitations, and a lack of mental health care continued to be major obstacles, access to professional mental health treatments greatly improved mental health outcomes.