Types of mental illness managed by traditional healers in Kenya
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Date
2008Author
Ndetei, DM
Khasakhala, Lincoln
Type
BookLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Traditional healing has been practised by many cultures in Kenya and for many years. It
is an accepted mode of treatment in different cultures. The traditional healers are
consulted even today and provide treatment to many people for various physical illnesses.
They are also consulted for mental illnesses. In many of our communities, before the
individuals go for treatment in the health centres for mental disorders, they will have tried
the traditional healer first or continue to see the traditional healer as they continue with
hospital based medication. The fact that mental illness is given cultural interpretation in
the African setting in most cases gives the basis of seeing the traditional healers. These
healers therefore probably mange a wide spectrum of mental illnesses that is hitherto
scarcely reported.
Citation
Types of mental illness managed by traditional healers in KenyaPublisher
AFRICA MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION (AMHF)