NIMBYism and Strategies for Coping with Managing Protests during the Establishment of Community Mental Health Facilities in Taiwan: Insights from Frontline Healthcare Professionals

Abstract

Taiwanese community mental health facilities encounter opposition/resistance from residents, commonly known as “Not-In-My-Backyard” (NIMBYism). This study investigated NIMBYism during the establishment of such facilities and how they respond to such resistance. A qualitative study through semi-structured interviews was used to obtain purposively sampled data. Fifteen frontline healthcare professionals from community mental health facilities in Taiwan were interviewed individually, using an organizational analysis structure. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Two themes: “Reasons for Resident Resistance” and “Institutional Response Strategies”, two categories, and 11 subcategories emerged. The findings demonstrated the following: (1) Reasons behind residents’ resistance toward establishing community mental health facilities are diverse. (2) Communities lack understanding regarding people with mental disorders, leading to irrational beliefs. (3) Fear and negative perceptions toward people with mental disorders exist. (4) Strategies employed by the facilities include providing community services to foster amicable relationships, organizing community outreaches, training people with mental disorders within communities, nurturing neighborhood connections, establishing and sustaining friendships within communities, inviting residents to visit community mental health facilities or introducing the facilities to communities, and leveraging governmental support. The government should adopt regulations or laws to reduce discrimination, promote human rights, and legislate to demarcate the use of community land.