‘We are all working toward one goal. We want people to become well’: A visual exploration of what promotes successful collaboration between community mental health workers and healers in Ghana
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Date
2023
Authors
Kpobi, L.
Read, U.M.
Selormey, R.K.
Colucci, E.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Transcultural Psychiatry
Abstract
The practices of traditional and faith-based healers in low- and middle-income countries in Africa and elsewhere have
come under intense scrutiny in recent years owing to allegations of human rights abuses. To mitigate these, there
have been calls to develop collaborations between healers and formal health services to optimise available mental health
interventions in poorly resourced contexts. For various reasons, attempts to establish such partnerships in a sustainable
manner in different countries have not always been successful. In this article, we present findings from the Together for
Mental Health visual research project to showcase examples of healer–health worker collaborations in Ghana that have
been largely successful and discuss the barriers and facilitators to establishing these partnerships. Data reported in this
article were collected using visual ethnography and filmed individual interviews with eight community mental health work ers, six traditional and faith-based healers and two local philanthropists in the Bono East Region. The findings suggest that
successful collaborations were built through mutually respectful interpersonal relationships, support from the health sys tem and access to community resources. Although these facilitated collaboration, resource constraints, distrust and eth ical dilemmas had to be overcome to build stronger partnerships. These findings highlight the importance of dedicated
institutional and logistic support for ensuring the successful integration of the different health systems in pluralistic
settings.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Ghana, mental health, human rights