Traditional community resources for mental health: a report of temple healing from India

摘要

Traditional community resources, including temple healing practices, are widely used in managing mental illnesses in India. This research shows that a brief stay at one healing temple in South India improved objective measures of clinical psychopathology. In the absence of any specific healing rituals, the observed benefits appeared to result from a supportive non-threatening environment. This may indicate the value of a culturally valued refuge for people with severe mental illness. Moreover, existing traditional resources may have a role in providing community mental health care.