Traditional Health Care Practitioners` Views Regarding Mental Health Promotion

Several studies have suggested that traditional health care practitioners (THCPs) have the potential to play an important role in health care delivery in many developing countries. In South Africa, there is evidence showing that a substantial number of people prefer to consult THCPs when faced with various forms of illness, including mental illness. The aim of the present study was to explore the views of THCPs regarding their role in mental health promotion. Ten (10) THCPs (females = 7; males = 3; age ranging from 30 to 90 years) were selected through purposive sampling and requested to participate in the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic content analysis. The following five themes were identified: a) participants’ understanding of mental illness; b) perceived causes of mental illness; c) treatment of mental illness; d) participants’ perceived success in treating mental illness; and, e) participants’ views regarding collaboration between themselves and western health care practitioners. The study is concluded by, among others, recommending the need for collaboration between traditional and Western trained health care practitioners in mental health promotion.