Types of mental illness managed by traditional healers in Kenya

Abstract

Traditional healing has been practised by many cultures in Kenya and for many years. It is an accepted mode of treatment in different cultures. The traditional healers are consulted even today and provide treatment to many people for various physical illnesses. They are also consulted for mental illnesses. In many of our communities, before the individuals go for treatment in the health centres for mental disorders, they will have tried the traditional healer first or continue to see the traditional healer as they continue with hospital based medication. The fact that mental illness is given cultural interpretation in the African setting in most cases gives the basis of seeing the traditional healers. These healers therefore probably mange a wide spectrum of mental illnesses that is hitherto scarcely reported.