Recovery from Mental Illness: Understanding the Therapeutic Interventions of Shifaa Centres

Spirituality and religion form the basis for mental health recovery at Shifaa centres in Garissa County, Kenya, where a hybrid of conventional psychiatric methods and spiritual/religious techniques is used. Based on interviews with six staff members across two centres, the blended therapeutic interventions appear robust and effective, with a significant number of clients recovering from mental illness. Some relapse occurred in substance-induced psychotic patients after discharge. The authors recommend recognizing and promoting this approach, and call for further research on larger samples, in other towns, and on causes of relapse and the concept of dealing with Jinn (unseen spirit possession).

Study at a glance

Abstract

This paper examines the therapeutic interventions of Shifaa centres in Garissa County, Kenya. Shifaa centres are becoming popular and significantly sought for mental health services. The aim of this inter-disciplinary research was to explain the therapeutic interventions of Shifaa centre. The study clarifies the inter-play of conventional psychiatric methods and spiritual/religious oriented techniques of offering mental health services. Data was gathered from two Shifaa centres in Garissa County-Kenya. In-depth interviews were conducted with two medical personnel, two psycho-social counsellors, one religious expert and one administrative staff working in two centres. The outcome reveals spirituality and religion as basis for mental recovery. Therapeutic interventions utilized in Shifaa centres were robust, hybrid and effective. Shifaa centres reported a significant number of clients having recovered from mental illness. However, there were some instances of relapse in substance induced psychotic patients after discharge. This blended approach need to be recognized, institutionalized and promoted because of its significant positive impact on mental health recovery and its value addition to human life. Further researches are recommended on larger samples and in other towns and studies of causes of relapse. Detailed research to unravel the concept of dealing with Jinn (unseen spirit possession) will add more value.