A research on the families of the mentally disabled in the COVID-19 period: The case of Malatya

This study focuses on families with mental disabilities during the Covid-19 epidemic. In this study designed with qualitative research method, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 mentally disabled families living in Malatya. In this study conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic, various problems experienced by families with mental disabilities and mentally disabled individuals living in Malatya were discussed. The study included themes such as the social problems experienced by disabled individuals and their families during the Covid-19 period, perceptions regarding education, problems they encountered in the field of health, socio-economic status assessment, and physical and psychological processes. As a result of the research, it was determined that mentally disabled individuals and their families remained in the background in the fields of education and health during the Covid-19 process, and the measures taken caused difficult processes for families and mentally disabled individuals. It can be said that the economic problems that shook everyone deeply during the Covid-19 pandemic have a greater impact on families with mentally disabled individuals, and that families with a special child face psychological and social problems due to the difficulties of the pandemic. Keywords: Covid-19, Disability, Mental Disability, Family, Malatya