Perceptions of Traditional Healing for Mental Illness in Rural Gujarat

Abstract

Subjects were largely dissatisfied with their experiences with traditional healers, but healing is still an incredibly common first-line practice in Gujarat. Because healers are such integral parts of their communities and so commonly sought out, collaboration between faith healers and medical practitioners would hold significant promise as a means to benefit patients. This partnership could improve access to care and decrease the burden of mental illness experienced by patients and their communities.

Ethical Issues Relating to Faith Healing Practices in South Asia: A Medical Perspective

“…It has been seen that for certain disorders, patients and their family members are quite satisfied by the treatment offered by the faith healers [21]. Some faith healers are able to judge what types of problems are unlikely to get better by their treatment, and promptly refer such cases to medical settings to remain in good grace of the clientele [3]. However, there are other circumstances where use of faith healing techniques may have adverse consequences.…”

“…Utilitarian perspective of what works best suggests that faith healers should continue their practice as they are beneficial to some individuals [3]. Being allowed to work in regulated manner ensuring that they do no harm may be an acceptable course of action.…”

“…Covert and overt propaganda by the faith healers through pamphlets, posters and other means emphasizing their claims may induce vulnerable individuals to seek such care [13]. It must be highlighted that all persons who seek cure through faith healers do not continue that pathway-of-care indefinitely [3,14,15], probably finding it expensive or unhelpful. At the same time, many clients consider themselves to be satisfied by the help afforded through such practices [3,6].…”

“…Individuals from both rural and urban residence seek services of faith healers [3]. Utilization of such practices seems to be more common in the lower socio-economic strata, or where access to other forms of treatment is difficult [7,8].…”

“…Traditional forms of treatment are being supplanted by modern medicine. Despite the attempts at providing access to modern medicine to the entire population, faith healing practices still continue to be fairly prevalent in the region [1][2][3]. Cultural acceptance of the systems of faith healing, coupled with the relative lack of robust healthcare infrastructure in the region probably contributes to the continuation of these forms of treatment [4].…”