Background: The amount of people with mental disorders is increasing in Indonesia. Referring to National Health Survey conducted by the Ministry of Health in 2018, the prevalence of people with severe mental disorders (schizophrenia / psychosis) increased from 0.15% to 0.18%. to determine mental health issues in the community, there is an urgency for potential workers in the community, namely mental health cadres. Objective: This study aims to describe the role of mental health cadres in mental health programs within the community. Method: Qualitative method with a phenomenological design comprises interview and FGD were used in this research. Result: Of 20 informants, we found that cadres have performed their roles including the role in primary prevention namely person with mental issues data collection (screening), motivating families and people with mental disorders, and providing health education. Subsequently, roles in detection and outreach as a secondary prevention. Tertiary prevention is to motivate people with mental disorders so they will take prescriptions, mentoring to take medication and make a referrals. Conclusion: 2 mental health cadres have performed their roles, however there are still many obstacles in society that cadres need to overcome.