Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Psychology
Treating The Spirit: An Ethnographic Portrait Of Senegalese Animist Mental Health Practices And Practitioners In Dakar And The Surrounding Area, Caitlin Mckinley
Treating The Spirit: An Ethnographic Portrait Of Senegalese Animist Mental Health Practices And Practitioners In Dakar And The Surrounding Area, Caitlin Mckinley
Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection
Animist beliefs and practices are deeply ingrained in Senegalese society, even in the metropolitan area of Dakar and have prevailed in Senegal despite the many influences of Islam and colonization. Animist mental health practices are especially interesting because of the influx of Western mental health practices in the wake of modernization. Merging traditional and Western mental health practices challenges the completely different worldviews from which each school of thought stems. For those seeking treatment, this duality makes it tricky to receive the help that they need. The purpose of this study is to explore animist Senegalese mental health treatments, traditional …