Citation

Laher S, Khan S. Psychol. Dev. Soc. 2011; 23(1): 63-84.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/097133361002300103

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Current understandings of mental illness are rooted in Western paradigms and fail to incorporate indigenous understandings. Swartz (2002) argues that the way certain conditions are labelled in different settings and how they are expressed in different cultures, need to be taken into consideration. Thus, this study explores the perceptions of mental illness in a sample of eight volunteer counsellors at a community-based organisation in Johannesburg, South Africa. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the counsellors to determine their understanding of mental illness and to establish the role played by Islam on the perceptions of mental illness. Responses were analysed using thematic content analysis. These results are discussed within the broader framework of Islam and mental illness.