Indigenous communities worldwide possess rich traditions of psychological and emotional well-being, which intricately link mental health to cultural, spiritual, and environmental factors. Current psychological frameworks, however, often neglect these perspectives, limiting our understanding of mental health, resilience, and healing within these communities. Despite a growing recognition of these cultural influences, a considerable gap remains between their theoretical acceptance and the practical outcomes observed in Indigenous communities. Addressing this gap is essential to acknowledge that health is profoundly rooted in culture and should form the basis of health and well-being initiatives for Indigenous populations.
This Research Topic aims to explore how Indigenous knowledge systems, cultural interventions, and traditional healing practices contribute to psychological well-being. By examining Indigenous knowledge as a vital source of mental health resilience, this topic will delve into cultural practices, rituals, myths, and storytelling as therapeutic interventions. Ultimately, the broader objective is to highlight Indigenous models of psychological well-being and their importance in the contemporary mental health discourse.
To gather further insights into integrating Indigenous and contemporary perspectives, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
o Traditional knowledge and mental health resilience, including Indigenous conceptualizations and community-based coping strategies.
o Indigenous healing and trauma recovery through cultural interventions, such as the role of Ayurveda, Shamanism, and community-centered approaches.
o The role of rituals, myths, and storytelling in psychological healing, exploring their impact on mental health and social cohesion.
o Insights into the role of Indigenous myths in shaping identity, self-concept, and resilience.
o Public health approaches to psychological well-being in aging Indigenous communities
We invite researchers, practitioners, and scholars to contribute to this dialogue, enhancing our understanding of culturally inclusive mental health interventions. Article types may include original research, reviews, case studies, and theoretical or methodological contributions related to these themes.
The Topic Editors are currently based in India, and this Research Topic will place particular emphasis on Indigenous knowledge, cultural practices, and healing traditions from India. However, we warmly welcome submissions offering global perspectives and comparative insights related to Indigenous psychological well-being worldwide.
Keywords: Indigenous Psychological Well-being, Traditional Knowledge, Cultural Interventions, Indigenous Mental Health, Community-based Mental Health, Rituals and Storytelling, Indigenous Coping Strategies
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
