Mental health is a state of mental wellbeing that enables people to cope with stress of life, realize their abilities, learn well, work well and contribute to their community (WHO, 2008). The concept of mental health is determined by the cultural context of the society. Over 280 million people globally are dealing with depressive disorders and 85 % of them had no treatment for mental health (2022). These statistics are quite alarming and should be treated with caution. Since mental health is determined by the cultural context, health practitioners should not be blinkered by assuming a rigid set of professional principles when working within a cross-cultural society (Taruvinga and Moyo,2020). The perceived causes of mental illness in Zimbabwe include witchcraft, generational curses, Ngozi (avenging spirits), Mupfuhwira (love portion), rituals and spiritual callings.
Witchcraft ( kuroyiwa)
It is believed that the leading cause of mental illness in the shona communities is witchcraft. It is believed if you get successful or achieve certain milestones, family members and community members may be unhappy which results in witchcraft. Jealous is a common reason for family members to engage witchcraft activities to destroy one’s prosperity.
Generational curses
Mental illness in Zimbabwe is also believed to be caused by generational curses. The traditional African system centers around the supremacy of the ancestors. The failure to be in harmony with ancestors may lead to mental illnesses that can be passed from generation to generation.
Ngozi (Avenging spirits)
If a family member commits murder or wrongs someone from the past it leads to Ngozi. This Ngozi has to be compensated in order for restorative justice to occur between individuals and families. Failure to appease the Ngozi may result to mental illness such as psychosis, schizophrenia and bipolar which will be passed from generation to generation. This will happen until the Ngozi is appeased.
Mupfuhwira (love portion)
Muphuuhwira is a love portion designed to resolve infidelity between romantic partners. However this has severe consequences which might cause mental illness. This abuse of mupfuhwira may lead to the affected person to experience hypersomnia as the person is always sleeping.
Money rituals ( Kuromba)
It is believed that some family members might use other family members to acquire wealth. The process of Kuromba is whereby a person does a ritual to acquire wealth. This may lead to insanity to some relatives.
Spiritual calling
Mental illness has also been perceived as one of the consequences of ignoring a spiritual calling from the ancestors. Ancestral spirits can communicate an important message by causing mental illness. In this context the mental illness can only be treated by doing what the ancestral spirits are requesting.