Approaching the concept of mental health for indigenous peoples in colombia

Abstract

This study sought to perceive the concept of mental health from the perspective of Co-lombian indigenous peoples. A qualitative survey from a historic-hermeneutical standpoint was conducted by means of interviews with a strati-fied intentional sample of 10 leaders with experience in indigenous mental health. After being duly transcribed, interview materials were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Findings were structured around four analytical categories: mental health perspectives, elements, scenarios, and challenges. It was revealed that some indigenous people do not perceive mental health as an indigenous concept. Some perceive it from a mor-bicentric western perspective and others from an ancestral holistic standpoint. They describe posi-tive elements (good living, spirituality, harmony with mother earth) and negative aspects (accul-turation, discrimination, violence, disobedience). Mental health scenarios included the land itself and the health care system, in particular the Inter-cultural Indigenous Health System (SISPI). Challenges include the need to conduct more research on this topic, consolidating SISPI, and fostering ancestral knowledge.