Indigenous help-seeking and help-giving practices in mental illnesses: lessons to be learned

Abstract

How mental illness is defined culturally influences the way it is experienced and expressed, and consequently the help-seeking behaviour. This paper, based on a larger study, explores the cultural themes underlying local beliefs and world views towards mental illnesses and suggests reasons why indigenous healing practices appeal. Lessons can be drawn from the way indigenous healers foster interconnection and interdependency between the sufferers and their families as well as between the community and the environment, and how they engage in role adaptations.