The role of traditional health practitioners in healing mental illness in Allandale village Bushbuckridge Region

Abstract

Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) have historically served as the primary mental healthcare providers in culturally rich communities, particularly in contexts where healing intersects with spirituality and collective experience. In regions like Bushbuckridge, many people suffering from mental illness relies on THPs due to their accessibility, affordability, and deep alignment with local belief systems. This widespread reliance, however, highlights a critical research and service delivery gap: while essential, traditional healing practices often operate without the benefit of biomedical validation and carry inherent potential risks associated with unregulated treatments. This study addresses this gap by exploring the specific ways THPs in South Africa manage mental illness. This paper is Grounded in Afrocentric theory, the research adopts a qualitative exploratory approach, utilizing desk-based analysis to synthesize and critique secondary sources. Findings confirm that the pervasive use of traditional medicine is driven by local socioeconomic factors and strong cultural beliefs. Crucially, traditional healing is viewed not as an inferior alternative, but as a culturally resonant and effective treatment method. The implications of this study are significant: to bridge the divide between perceived cultural effectiveness and biomedical necessity, it is strongly recommended that Traditional Health Practitioners and Western-trained doctors pursue collaborative integration to safely and comprehensively address the growing number of mental health challenges in these communities.

Keywords: {'name': 'Mental illness, Traditional Health Practitioners, Socio-economic, Belief, Affordable and western Medicine.'}

Authors & affiliations

Tsetselelane Decide Mdhluli
University of Limpopo

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