Conceptualising mental health in the United Arab Emirates: the perspective of traditional healers |
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Authors: | Justin Thomas Nowf Al-Qarni Steven W. Furber |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Natural Science and Public Health, Zayed University, P.O. Box 144534, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emiratesjustin.thomas@zu.ac.ae;3. Department of Natural Science and Public Health, Zayed University, P.O. Box 144534, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates;4. Tabah Foundation, P.O. Box 107442, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
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Abstract: | Substantial investments in health-care have ensured the widespread availability of allopathic medical services across the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, in spite of this accessibility traditional healers (Mutawa) continue to play a significant, albeit, unofficial role in the UAE's health sector. Citizens routinely consult traditional healers for problems that might, from a western biomedical perspective, be considered psychiatric conditions. This qualitative study explores traditional healers' conceptualisations of mental health problems, discussing their perspectives on phenomenology, aetiology, intervention and outcome. Notably, traditional healers distinguished between biomedical illness and states they attributed to demonological or metaphysical causes. The Islamic spiritual narrative was central to discussions of aetiology, intervention and outcome. Greater integration of traditional healers within the UAE's mental health-care services would, in many cases, improve patient experience and outcomes. |
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Keywords: | Arab UAE Muslim health beliefs culture religious healing |
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