Perceptions of child and adolescent mental health services in rural communities of the Chris Hani District, Eastern Cape province, South Africa

Background Globally, child and adolescent mental health services are a priority. Efforts are being made to highlight the gap in health systems concerning the lack of these services and to provide evidence for their necessity, particularly in disadvantaged areas such as rural communities in low- and middle- income countries.Objective This study aimed to investigate the perceptions of child and adolescent mental health services within primary healthcare facilities and secondary schools in rural communities of the Chris Hani District in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa.Method The study employed a qualitative research approach with an exploratory design, recruiting 36 participants, including 12 professional nurses and 24 secondary school teachers, through purposive sampling. Data were collected via individual semi-structured interviews (n = 12) with professional nurses and focus group discussions (n = 6) with teachers. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.Results The findings demonstrated a lack of child and adolescent mental health services in both primary healthcare facilities and secondary schools in rural communities, where children and adolescents could potentially access such services. Specifically, primary healthcare facilities reported having no mental health patients under the age of 18 years. Both healthcare professionals and schoolteachers indicated a lack of expertise in implementing services.Conclusion Child and adolescent mental health services are lacking in rural communities of the Chris Hani District, Eastern Cape province, South Africa.