PsySSA SD Webinar - African Spirituality and Mental Health

The PsySSA SD Multidisciplinary subcommittee presents a webinar on African Spirituality and Mental Health.

The psychology curriculum in South Africa tends to focus on Western approaches while neglecting an African epistemological paradigm (Baloyi, 2021). Research shows that almost 80% of South Africans seek health care from traditional healers (Boum et al., 2021). These figures suggest the need for psychological services to be mindful of Indigenous knowledge systems and the often overlooked spiritual dimensions of mental illness.

Nompumelelo Prudence Kubheka, clinical psychologist & traditional healer, and Gogo Xolly, a traditional healer share with us their journey, insights, and knowledge on working with mental illness, incorporating holistic intervention, and how psychology students can gain cultural competency.