Globalization entails exchanging ideas and technologies in the influence on mental health treatment. On the other hand, traditional methods and cultural practices create a landscape of mental health care delivery. They include healing, performing rituals, cleansing ceremonies, and using conventional herbs. Traditional medicine men emphasize a holistic approach to health and well-being concerning body, spirit, and mind( Lewis-Fernández & Kirmayer, 2019). The discussion below is about traditional healing practices, the impacts of globalization on mental health, cultural competencies on mental health, and the challenges and opportunities of traditional and globalization on mental health treatment. The reader can understand the effects of conventional and modern healthcare practices on mental health treatment.
Traditional healers provide a significant source of care; they provide a belief system that is essential to one’s cultural beliefs in terms of the causes of mental health problems and, as a result, the right therapy for them. The causes and treatment of mental illnesses are explained in different ways; others believe it is possession by evil spirits. The various perceptions and definitions of mental illness make people jump between health centers and traditional healers. Families affected by mental illness are confused about choosing between modern health and traditional healers.
A larger population in the community believes that witchcraft and ancestral spirits are the causes of mental health illness, and they are, therefore, guided on where to seek treatment. Traditional healers have gained popularity because of the following factors: limited accessibility, affordability, and availability of mental health services in the healthcare system. Stigma, misinformation, and poor understanding of the disease have also contributed to traditional healers winning. The traditional healing practices are both pharmacological and nonpharmacological. The pharmacological ones include herbs, while the nonpharmacological ones include spiritual therapy and counseling. The traditional healers who use spiritual therapy include biblical verses such as fasting and prayers in their treatment.
Traditional boundaries of culture are changing due to globalization, industrialization, urbanization, and the influence of the media. It has resulted in faster and more fantastic technological advances. There is a rapid and more efficient means of travel, leading to a better communication system that enables expertise and knowledge in various areas, including general health and mental health (Lovell et al., 2019). Globalization has promoted the exchange of practices and ideas, leading to the interaction between traditional and modern treatment methods in mental health. It has led to the spread of contemporary mental health information all over the world. It has resulted in interventions like the introduction of psychotherapy and psychotropic medications.
Modern healthcare practices and traditional healing methods can sometimes collide and disagree, leading to chaos and conflict in delivering effective treatment to a mental illness patient will be the result. The dominance of modern mental health treatment practices is the cause of disagreement. Globalization can sometimes bring inequality across cultures, with some communities having better and more reliable access to modern healthcare while others entirely depend on traditional healing.
Doctors, medics, and all medical practitioners must be well-versed in both treatment practices. That is, they should understand and consider how someone’s culture, ethnicity, and race can affect or influence one’s mental health and the best way to help them. Social norms and issues influence culture. An example is when an immigrant in Western countries works at minimum wage in the labor market. They experience high levels of income inequality, which can impact their mental health and well-being. Diversity in culture has significant impacts on mental health, depending on how health and illness are perceived. Theories and practices on mental health, like psychiatry and psychology, have resulted from Western cultural traditions and understandings of the human condition. Issues like over-representation of specific cultural groups in health facilities exclude one group and include the other; mental health and culture need to be handled by a health professional to be able to engage all the cultural groups.
Culture can influence health practices like food and exercise, and some health beliefs about the causes of diseases and illnesses. Mental health cultural adaptations include some or all of these elements to reduce the high rate of mental health problems and inequalities in care among disadvantaged groups. Analyses such as interventions have yielded inconclusive, positive, or mixed results. The interventions are either personal therapy group, group therapy, or both. Overall, the evidence-based interventions are encouraging. However, there may be risks. One of them is that mental health professionals often make conclusions that individuals from different groups have the same cultural characteristics. It may fail to consider that there are many subgroups within one group, and they all have different characteristics. These subgroups are at a higher risk of developing mental problems than any other. They can be recognized as subcultural groups within a larger population with the same life experiences and a sense of belonging.
There are challenges facing effective global and traditional mental health treatment. First, access to care is limited. Factors like geographical locations, differences in income, and financial constraints affect the accessibility to quality mental health care. Remote areas often lack enough mental health infrastructure and resources and suffer from a shortage of mental health professionals. Secondly, stigma and discrimination are affecting the treatment of mental health worldwide. Traditional practices may be disadvantaged by the modern Western biomedical models that dominate mental health. It can lead to the suppression of indigenous and cultural practices. It is a persistent barrier to accessing and receiving the services. The negative comments, myths, and misconceptions promote discrimination and stigma against the individuals affected by mental health conditions.
Another challenge is a shortage of mental health professionals, especially in areas with low resources. It is a significant problem in the delivery of quality mental health care. An inadequate number of psychiatrists and psychologists limits access to modern global mental health care. Lack of coordination in mental health systems can lead to poor outcomes in service delivery to mental health clients. Integrating traditional healing practices may lead to inequality in service delivery. Despite having limited resources, traditional healing methods are diverse, thus making regulation challenging.
One of the opportunities of traditional and globalization of mental health treatment is cultural diversity. It has enabled recognition and integration of traditional healing methods into modern mental health care systems. It has also enhanced the cultural competence of mental health professionals. Adding traditional methods to modern mental health practices enhances the care of individuals’ diverse needs. In conventional practices, holistic approaches to health, well-being, and connection of mind, body, and spirit are the main emphasis. They empower the community through traditional healing practices and connect to the community through rituals and ceremonies. Globalization has empowered the community to be empowered in mental health care and reclaim their cultural heritage. Collaborative practices between the two initiatives can harness each other’s strengths, leading to innovation and adaptation in mental health treatment. Cross-cultural discussion between traditional healing practices and globalization promotes mutual understanding and respect.
In conclusion, despite the challenges posed by the traditional healing practices. Globalization allows growth, diversity, and cultural recognition. Cultural diversity empowers the community and mental health systems to meet the needs of the mental health-affected individual. Acknowledging traditional and modern Western methods promotes quality mental health care delivery. Traditional methods can remain relevant, along with modern Western practices using holistic healing methods. Incorporating both practices promotes inclusivity and cultural diversity. Also, it provides plenty of options when choosing a mental health treatment method. Onwards, both methods should be recognized as they are essential in the treatment and rehabilitation of those affected by mental health conditions.
Lewis-Fernández, R., & Kirmayer, L. J. (2019). Cultural concepts of distress and psychiatric disorders: Understanding symptom experience and expression in context. Transcultural Psychiatry, 56(4), 786-803.
Lovell, A. M., Read, U. M., & Lang, C. (2019). Genealogies and anthropologies of global mental health. Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry, 43(4), 519–547.