Exploring the Influence of Islam on the Perceptions of Mental Illness of Volunteers in a Johannesburg Community-based Organisation

Abstract

Current understandings of mental illness are rooted in Western paradigms and fail to incorporate indigenous understandings. Swartz (2002) argues that the way certain conditions are labelled in different settings and how they are expressed in different cultures, need to be taken into consideration. Thus, this study explores the perceptions of mental illness in a sample of eight volunteer counsellors at a community-based organisation in Johannesburg, South Africa. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the counsellors to determine their understanding of mental illness and to establish the role played by Islam on the perceptions of mental illness. Responses were analysed using thematic content analysis. These results are discussed within the broader framework of Islam and mental illness.

An overview of illness conceptualizations in African, Hindu, and Islamic traditions: towards cultural competence

“…A person in Islam is conceptualized as being the combination of four interacting parts, namely, mind (Aql), body (Qalb), self (Nafs), and soul/spirit (Ruh) (Laher & Khan, 2011). The person in Hinduism is conceptualized as five concentric layers, namely, the body, the 'breath of life' or physiological processes, the 'mind' or sensory function co-ordinator, the intellect and cognitive aspects of an individual, including self-image, and the jiva or the seat of experience of bliss (Paranjpe, 1998).…”

South African Muslim Psychologists' Perceptions of Mental Illness

“…Cultural competence refers to the ability to work within a community or culture that is different to one's own while maintaining a respect and understanding for that community and their cultural beliefs and practices (Bhui, Warfa, Edonya, McKenzie, & Bhugra, 2007;O' Hagan, 2001). According to Laher and Khan (2011), being aware and addressing cultural and religious beliefs is an important part of providing quality care to individuals with mental illness, as these aspects may provide a framework for understanding mental illness.…”

Exploring the role of Islam in perceptions of mental illness in a sample of Muslim psychiatrists based in Johannesburg

“…It was also noted that cultural competency puts patients at ease. [7] These ideas may be related to the concept of culture-matching as highlighted by Haarmans, [9] which refers to matching a clinician with a patient based on their racial/ ethnic identity. The belief is that this 'matching' will increase cultural competency and therefore therapeutic outcomes.…”

“…Laher and Khan [7] state that being aware of and addressing cultural and religious beliefs is an important part of providing quality care to individuals with mental illness, as these aspects may provide a framework for understanding mental illness. They found that patients were open to Western forms of treatment, but still preferred to be treated by someone they believed was competent in their understanding and knowledge of their culture.…”

“…[6] This model is based on the interrelation between the ruh (soul), the qalb (connection between the soul and the body), the aql (intellect) and the nafs (drives or desires) merging through the dahmeer (consciousness). [5][6][7] In order to be healthy, all 4 aspects of the self need to be balanced. An imbalance in any aspect results in physical, mental and/or spiritual illness.…”