Presentation Information
[SY-93-04]Cultural Pathways in Mental Health Care: The Role of Traditional Healers and Spirituality
*Muhammad Irfan (Department of Mental Health, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Peshawar Medical College, Riphah International University, Islamabad(Pakistan))
Keywords:
Traditional Healers,Mental Health Care,Spirituality,Equity
Traditional healing practices remain an integral part of mental health care in many cultural contexts, offering support through spiritual and indigenous frameworks. However, integrating these approaches with modern psychiatric care presents challenges, including differing explanations of illness, treatment expectations, and communication barriers. Since no single practitioner can be expected to fully understand every cultural belief system, collaborating with stakeholders and having interdisciplinary dialogue becomes essential. Ethical considerations, respect for diverse healing traditions, and the development of culturally inclusive mental health models are key to ensuring equitable access to care while maintaining clinical effectiveness.