Addressing Intersectionality through Medical Pluralism: Role of Indigenous Healing Systems in Mental Health

Abstract

As the world experiences rapid industrialization and we stray away from deeper aspects of being, there is an alarming increase in problems related to mental health. A paucity of mental health professionals burdens health-care systems worldwide, and this problem has become more evident postpandemic. Such a situation indicates a gap that indigenous healing systems can bridge. This article aims to recognize the role of indigenous healing systems in mental health promotion. We also focus on how alternative medicine addresses cultural differences in mental health. After a brief comparison between conventional and alternative medicine, we explore possibilities for collaboration between the two. Findings suggest that individuals in emerging and low-income countries widely resorted to alternative medicine. It has a comprehensive set of benefits but also has its limitations as it is a loosely regulated field. Alternative practices remain a popular healthcare choice in emerging countries, and combining them with conventional medicine opens up new possibilities for holistic healing and decolonizing narratives in mental health.