Understanding and Locating Mental Health in a Cross-Cultural Context: Indigenous Community Perspectives

Abstract

This article speaks of the need to understand mental health conceptualizations locating in a cross-cultural context. The meanings and actors are truly bound in a cultural context; hence, the definition of well-being is varied as also the notions of being ill. This article explores these meanings with reference to ideas related to health and well-being from two indigenous communities—Jad Bhotiyas and Chenchus  from two states—Uttarakhand and Telangana, respectively. It explores and traverses the various articulations on health and illness, through the various ‘acts’, which are culture bound. It is emphasized that the ‘natural context’ is quite closely enmeshed with their belief systems and their ‘performative acts’ for health and well-being, which are gendered. The article speaks of the need to understand the varied notions of mental health, going beyond the notions of ‘defined categories’, including even the concept of mental health. The first section discusses the varied notions of mental health with cross-cultural understanding. The second section delves into the meanings and practices of mental health in the two cultural contexts of Chenchus and the Jad Bhotiyas. The third section explores these notions and frames these in cultural contexts. The fourth section provides the framework of expanding the mental health notions to make these more objective and inclusive. The fifth section provides a conclusion emphasizing on the need to go beyond conceptual boundaries and for a fluid understanding of reality.