Integrating Traditional Healing Practices with ModernMental Health Care

In contemporary Africa, the enduring presence of traditional healing practices remains a testament to the resilience of ancient cultural wisdom. These practices have been pivotal in addressing various aspects of health, including mental health, for generations. Traditional healing often involves rituals, herbal remedies, and the guidance of respected community figures, offering a holistic approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit.
The integration of traditional healing practices into modern mental health care is a dynamic journey recognizing that mental health is not linear but instead an intertwined web of cultural and community contexts with a need for a more inclusive approach. This exploration involves navigating the delicate balance between respecting cultural diversity and incorporating evidence-based methodologies.
The first case being made for the integration of traditional healing practices into modern mental health care comes from a Turkish doctor named Dr Kanat Tayfun. Due to his passion and exploration into how traditional medicine could complement modern medicine, he has managed, in collaboration with the WHO, to draft a report on integrating traditional and complementary medicine into global health-care practices. He has also managed to spark a conversation in getting traditional healing practices included in Turkey’s national healthcare coverage (World Health Organisation, 2023) .
Generally, within the Western medicinal perspective, mental healthcare providers have a negative attitude toward the integration of traditional health medicine into the mental healthcare systems. This attitude is based on their lack of trust in traditional practices, which are not supported by substantial evidence-based medical research (Masemola et al., 2023).
However, in light of this approach, it doesn’t necessarily mean that within Ethiopia, a country where very traditional healing practices are still alive and well, this attitude cannot be changed and thus subsequently included in modern medical and mental health care practice. In Nigeria, a study was conducted to see just how much traditional healing practices could be integrated with modern mental health systems. They found that given the significant shortage of mental health human resources, the researchers advocate for the integration of mental

health training, interventions, and psychoeducation in primary care settings, as outlined in Nigeria’s National Mental Health Service Delivery Policy, to reduce the burden posed by traditional healers. Traditional and conventional medicine healthcare services should also be fused into collaborative healthcare services through policies so patients who seek mental health services in the communities from traditional healers can be referred to other conventional health centers for better treatment (Anjorin & Hassan Wada, 2022).
Therefore, following Nigeria’s approach, Ethiopia also has the potential to integrate traditional healing practices with modern mental health services. By leveraging indigenous knowledge within its diverse cultural context, Ethiopia can create an approach that respects tradition while incorporating contemporary mental health advancements. This integration aims not only to enhance mental health service accessibility but also to address the specific needs of the population. Ethiopia, through this balanced integration, may establish a more inclusive and community-centered mental health framework, promoting resilience and well-being.

Anjorin, O., & Hassan Wada, Y. (2022). Impact of traditional healers in the provision Of mental health services in Nigeria. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 82, 104755. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104755
Masemola, V. F. J., Thobakgale, E. M., & Govender, I. (2023). Traditional medicine is integrated into the mental healthcare system in Tshwane, South Africa. South African Family Practice, 65(1), 5636. https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v65i1.5636
World Health Organisation. (2023). Integrating traditional and modern medicine with compassion and care: A physician’s tale from Türkiye. https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/17-08-2023-integrating-traditional-and-modern- medicine-with-compassion-and-care-a-physicians-tale-from-Turkiye