Beyond trauma: a culturally grounded call for mindfulness and expressive arts in the mental health response to intimate partner violence among tribal women in India

Purpose This commentary aims to explore the urgent need for culturally grounded mental health interventions for tribal women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) in India. It advocates for the integration of mindfulness-based expressive art therapy (MBAT) as a culturally relevant, trauma-informed approach to healing that aligns with indigenous epistemologies and traditional modes of expression. Design/methodology/approach Using insights from a scoping review of existing literature on mindfulness and expressive art therapies for IPV survivors, this paper critically evaluates the limitations of Western therapeutic models in tribal contexts. It synthesizes theoretical frameworks, empirical evidence and cultural considerations to propose a decolonial model of healing centered on community, nonverbal expression and ancestral wisdom. Findings Mindfulness and expressive art therapies demonstrate efficacy in enhancing emotional regulation, reducing trauma symptoms and fostering resilience among IPV survivors. However, existing interventions often lack cultural adaptation and ignore the sociohistorical realities of tribal communities. This paper finds that when these therapeutic modalities are tailored to tribal worldviews – through symbolic imagery, indigenous art forms and collective healing practices – they become powerful tools for trauma recovery and identity restoration. Practical implications This commentary offers clear implications for practice, including culturally responsive therapist training, community-based MBAT delivery and participatory program design. It urges policymakers to incorporate MBAT into district-level public health initiatives and calls for further research on culturally adapted interventions in tribal settings. Originality/value This work contributes original insights by reframing MBAT not as an alternative therapy but as a culturally and spiritually congruent first-line approach for tribal IPV survivors. It bridges gaps in both theory and practice by integrating decolonial perspectives, arts-based methodologies and indigenous knowledge systems into mental health discourse.