Mental Health Issues Among Indigenous Communities and the Role of Traditional Medicine
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Iswanto
Dewi Maryam
Ratna Puji Priyanti
Eva Felipe Dimog
Asri
Abstract
Indigenous populations worldwide face significant mental health disparities stemming
from historical trauma, colonization, and marginalization. The World Health Organization
reports particularly concerning rates of suicide and self-harm among indigenous youth.
These communities struggle with multiple interconnected challenges, including economic
hardship, limited access to education, and identity crises. This narrative review es mental
health issues among indigenous communities and the role of traditional medicine in
addressing these challenges. This review analyzed sources from 2014 to 2024 in English
and Bahasa Indonesia, including academic papers, government reports, and grey literature
on indigenous peoples, mental illness, and traditional medicine. Using keywords related
to indigenous/aboriginal communities, mental health, and traditional/alternative medicine,
the review presented findings across 5 themes: Indigenous community challenges; health
and cultural perspectives; traditional and biomedical approaches; preservation of
traditional medicine; and new healthcare models. Traditional medicine faces challenges
from systematic marginalization and younger generations' skepticism. The review
advocates for an integrated healthcare approach that combines traditional and biomedical
practices while preserving indigenous knowledge systems. This integration requires
cultural competency, specialized training for healthcare professionals, and empowerment
of indigenous community members in healthcare roles.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Iswanto, Dewi Maryam, Ratna Puji Priyanti, Eva Felipe Dimog, Asri
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