Cultural Practices and Mental Health Stigma among the Awori of Lagos, Nigeria

This study investigates the cultural practices and their influence on mental health stigma among the Awori of Lagos State. It focuses on understanding the awareness of mental health issues, the stigmatization of specific mental illnesses like bipolar disorder and depression, and the development of culturally sensitive interventions. The research is anchored on the Social Constructionism Theory, which emphasizes how cultural and social contexts shape perceptions of mental health. The study employs a qualitative research design, using in-depth interviews to collect data from 35 purposively selected participants across six stakeholder categories, including traditional healers, religious leaders, community health workers, family caregivers, and indigenous elders. Findings reveal that cultural beliefs, such as supernatural attributions and communal values, significantly influence the stigmatization of mental illnesses. Based on the findings, the study recommends integrating traditional healing practices with evidence-based mental health care, culturally sensitive educational programs to increase awareness, and community-driven advocacy initiatives.