Abstract
M.A.
The research describes the different methods followed by traditional healers and
western professionals in dealing with mental illness. The study is intended to
provide an in-depth analysis of the process involved when the mentally ill patient
consult a traditional healer in the community and a western professional at the
local clinic in Emzinoni. The study also intends to examine whether or not the
two approaches can complement each other.
In this research, it was found that the mentally ill patient would consult either a
traditional healer or a western professional worker. In some cases, when the
patient has consulted the traditional healer and his/her condition does not
improve, he/she resorts to western medicine. The same applies to the patients,
who have consulted a western professional. If his/her condition does not
improve, he/she consults the traditional healer.
The study showed that patients who are mentally ill do not use medicines from
both traditional healers and western professional at the same time. The patient
chooses the treatment that makes him/her become better. It was recommended
in the study that traditional healers and western professionals should develop a
referral system.