Family support Mental health disorders Egor Local Government Area, Edo State Treatment adherence Recovery outcomes Family involvement Social work intervention Psycho-education

This study examined Family Support and Manaaging Mental Health disorders among Individuals with Mental Disorders in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State. The main objective was to assess the role of family support in managing individuals with mental disorders. Specifically, the study explored the level of family support available, the relationship between family involvement and mental health outcomes, the barriers and facilitators to such support, and the roles of social work professionals in enhancing mental health care. A mixed-method research design was employed, comprising quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative aspect involved 398 respondents who completed structured questionnaires analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, and mean scores, while the qualitative aspect included 10 participants which comprised patients, relatives, and social workers were interviewed using a semi-structured guide and analyzed narratively. Findings revealed a high level of family support characterized by emotional encouragement, financial assistance, and treatment adherence. A positive relationship was established between family involvement and improved mental health outcomes, such as faster recovery and reduced relapse rates. However, barriers including stigma, financial hardship, and cultural misconceptions limited family participation, while social workers were found to play key roles in psycho-education, counseling, and advocacy to enhance family engagement. The study concluded that family support remains a crucial component of effective mental health care, as strong family involvement improves treatment adherence and recovery outcomes. It recommended sustained family psycho-education, family-centered treatment approaches, financial support initiatives, public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma, and the strengthening of social work services for holistic mental health care in Egor LGA and beyond.