CULTURALLY ADAPTIVE APPROACHES TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN INDIA: DILEMMAS, PERSPECTIVES, INNOVATIONS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Abstract

The Indian psychological landscape offers a unique interplay of culture, history, and evolving therapeutic practices. This chapter critically examines modern psychological perspectives in India, drawing on foundational critiques of Western psychotherapy models (S. S. Manickam, 2010), which emphasize the importance of culturally adaptive approaches. It explores the role of family, faith, and holistic strategies in addressing mental health challenges, as highlighted by Margerison (2019), and considers the historical evolution of interventions, from traditional asylums to ethical, culturally sensitive modern therapies (Gupta et al., 2023). Key themes include the need for culturally relevant methodologies, the impact of stigma, and the transformative role of technology in mental health care. By synthesizing these insights, the chapter underscores the potential for integrating traditional Indian values with innovative approaches to redefine mental health interventions in India.