Notions of Mental Illness held by Black Pentecostal Pastors in Polokwane, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

In South Africa, as in many other Low- and Medium-Income Countries (LMICs), there is a high prevalence of mental disorders. Despite the high burden of mental illness in these countries, only a few professionals are available to provide mental healthcare. As a result, many people experiencing mental health problems are propelled to consult with their religious/spiritual healers. Amongst many religious/spiritual healers who are consulted for help regarding mental health challenges are Pentecostal pastors. Pentecostals comprise of a heterogeneous group of Christians with varied backgrounds, races, ethnicities, socioeconomic status, and educational levels. This group of Christians display an interesting difference from the public and also in most of their Christian studies. However, not much is known about the notions Black Pentecostal pastors’ have of mental illness specifically regarding what it is and how it is understood or described especially when viewed from within a South African context. This study consequently explored the perceptions of mental illness as they are held by Black Pentecostal pastors in Polokwane, South Africa. Nineteen Black Pentecostal Pentecostal pastors residing in Polokwane were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using Thematic Analysis (TA). The study found that the Black pastors hold differing views of mental illness which one can refer to as a Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual view of mental illness. The pastors’ notions of mental illness were mainly dominated by spiritual causes although they acknowledged other sources. The study also found that the pastors’ notions of mental illness were limited to psychosis or psychotic disorders, which they referred to as “bogaswi” in Sepedi language. Mental illnesses without psychotic features were less known to Black Pentecostal pastors. Furthermore, the pastors’ notions of mental illness were influenced by their theological (Pentecostal) and cultural upbringing (Black Africans). The study has several implications for future research, and additionally for clinical psychology practice and training. Findings of this study are discussed broadly within the Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual model of mental illness.