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Background In Indonesia, physically restraining a person with a mental disorder is a common practice. It is considered a practical solution and is accepted as part of the treatment.
Objective This study aims to explore the family experience caring for relatives with mental disorders under physical restraint, locally called pasung.
Methods Qualitative research with a phenomenological approach and in-depth interviews was conducted in Gunungsitoli Sub-district of North Sumatra, Indonesia. The family caregivers of a person with a mental disorder were the participants of the study.
Result The families perceived that pasung is a “normal” or acceptable act to restrain the mobility of the person with a mental disorder. They usually obtain information about mental disorders and possible treatment from other family members or fellow villagers. The person with a mental problem tends to be consulted by traditional or religious healers at first, as they believe that mental disorders are caused by supernatural causes. The treatment at traditional healers delays the treatment at health professionals. The coping mechanism within the family is more likely to be ineffective to handle the problem caused by the person with a mental disorder, thus opting for restraint as the solution.
Conclusions The way families treat the person with mental disorders, by restraining or chaining them, is against the act of human rights. Therefore, it is important to conduct awareness-raising campaigns on mental health and mental disorders to the family and community, as well as provide counseling to the patients and their families, stressing the more acceptable methods in treating the person with a mental disorder.
