Strength-Based Approach in Indian Clinical Practice: Reflections from a Five-year Ethnographic Study

S, Aswini and Deb, Amrita (2022) Strength-Based Approach in Indian Clinical Practice: Reflections from a Five-year Ethnographic Study. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work. pp. 1-10. ISSN 2640-8066

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Abstract

Background: Research and practice in the area of mental health has been conventionally predominated by the deficit-based approach, which attempts to improve lives by fixing symptoms. However, the growing impact of the positive psychology movement in the last two decades has resulted in incorporation of the strength-based approach into mental health work. Purpose: The objective of this article is to (i) emphasize the efficacy of strength-based approach in the area of mental health (ii) identify shortcomings in the Indian Mental Health System (MHS) (iii) recognize micro-level initiatives in the MHS and (iv) provide recommendations for the future. Method: These objectives are accomplished via reflections obtained from an ethnographic research with participants reporting mental health symptoms. Additionally, opinions gathered from mental health professionals, and government and non-government organizations working in the area were also considered. Results: This work has shed light on the recent micro-level transformations in the system including contextualization of mental illness and treatment, valuing patient’s input in the treatment process, and the creation and effective functioning of mental health task-forces. Conclusion: This paper concludes with a four-point recommendation that can help to incorporate the strength-based approach in MHSs for better outcomes. © 2022 Taylor & Francis.

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IITH Creators:

IITH Creators	ORCiD
Deb, Amrita	https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3851-9089

Item Type:

Article

Additional Information:

This work was conducted by the first author as part of her M.Phil + Ph.D. dual degree project funded by Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad through Ministry of Education, India.

Uncontrolled Keywords:

ethnographic research; narrative psychiatry; positive psychiatry; positive psychology; strength-based approach

Subjects:

Arts > Liberal arts

Divisions:

Department of Liberal Arts

Depositing User:

. LibTrainee 2021

Date Deposited:

18 Oct 2022 05:23

Last Modified:

18 Oct 2022 05:23