Problematic Outside and a Potential Inside: Mental Health Practises of a Community in India

The present study adopted a constructivist stance to explore mental health-related practices of a community in north India (in the city Indore, Madhya Pradesh). The focus was on understanding the factors in the environment that could have led to the development of these practices. The aim was also to understand the potential resources that can be worked upon to develop effective public health campaigns and mental health interventions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among 150 families. Data included demographic information, narratives, field notes, and observations of one of the surveyors. Thematic analysis and narrative inquiry for the same suggest that the mental health practices of the given community are deeply embedded within their a) religious beliefs and b) personal and social environment based on abuse. The positions taken by women on issues concerning mental health and abusive culture were found to be particularly interesting. One of the inferences include that women resist the abusive environment of the community in different ways, which in turn affects their mental well-being. Some of them engage in outright criticism and rejection of social and gender norms that contribute to the environment. It is also likely that others express the same through somatic symptoms and physical health issues. It is proposed that adopting a non critical view towards such practices could aid in designing effective mental health interventions and public health campaigns. Aspects currently found to be ‘problematic’ within the environment can be turned to ‘potential resources’ to promote mental health. The present study suggests that the need of the hour is to design future public health interventions in such a way that mental health concerns within communities and families are taken into consideration. It also presents suggestions for future work in this area.