The stories are familiar. There was the child feared by other kids when she seemed to become possessed by demons. Then there was the gogo or mkhulu accused of witchcraft because they’d do strange things like strip naked in public, forget who they were or where they were, or seem to hallucinate.
Fortunately, awareness about mental illness is increasing and the ways of viewing people’s experiences is evolving. That’s why Professor Christopher Paul Szabo believes diagnosis and treatment should both be part of a conversation between patient and doctor that bears in mind our different beliefs and backgrounds.
This is a conversation he’s extended to podcast form with his new show, Beyond Madness, which involves conversations about psychiatry and mental health, including myths and stigma. Much as myths about illness are increasingly challenged in our communities, there still remain huge barriers to mental healthcare, particularly in SA.
