Integrating traditional and modern Practices: Qualitative perspectives from mental health professionals in Mexico

Abstract

Background and purpose: In Mexico, traditional practices like herbal remedies, spiritual rituals, and energy-based therapies remain integral to mental health care. These are deeply rooted in cultural beliefs and often coexist with modern treatments. This study explores mental health professionals' perspectives on the prevalence, factors influencing, and integration of traditional practices into modern psychiatric care.

Materials and methods: This qualitative phenomenological study is part of a broader investigation into sociocultural factors in Mexican mental health care. Participants were selected through convenience and snowball sampling. Data were gathered through 1-hour semi-structured interviews, covering various aspects of mental health care. This analysis specifically focused on participants' discussions about traditional treatments, which were identified and extracted from the transcripts for thematic analysis.

Results: The study highlighted a wide range of traditional practices used by patients, including spiritual healing, energy therapies, medicinal plants, psychedelics, and complementary therapies. Factors influencing the use of these practices included cultural beliefs, emotional motivations, and issues within the healthcare system. Mental health professionals had varied attitudes toward these practices: most were respectful but did not integrate them into treatment, some were skeptical of their safety, and a few adopted an integrative approach, incorporating traditional practices into care.

Conclusion: The study emphasizes the widespread use of traditional therapies in Mexico, influenced by cultural beliefs and gaps in access to modern care. While most professionals respect these practices, integrating them with evidence-based approaches requires a balance between cultural sensitivity and scientific validation, which is essential for providing comprehensive, culturally appropriate care.

Keywords: Alternative medicine; Complementary therapies; Healthcare providers; Mental health; Mexico; Traditional medicine.