New Mental Health Diseases and Conditions Study Findings Has Been Reported by a Researcher at University of South Africa (South African traditional healers' approaches to mental illness: conceptualisation, diagnosis, and treatment: A scoping...).

This article focuses on a systematic review of traditional healers' approaches to mental illness in South Africa, highlighting that nearly 80% of Black South Africans consult traditional healers primarily for mental health issues due to geographical accessibility and cultural compatibility. The review, conducted using Arksey and O'Malley's framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, found that traditional healers conceptualize mental illness across supernatural, biological, psychological, physical, and environmental domains, commonly using divination bones and ancestral consultation for diagnosis and medicinal concoctions for treatment. The study emphasizes the need for further research on the effectiveness of these treatments and suggests that integrating traditional healing with biomedical mental healthcare could promote culturally sensitive and inclusive services. This research aims to inform policymakers, healthcare professionals, and researchers on fostering collaboration between traditional and formal mental health systems in South Africa. [Extracted from the article]