A qualitative evaluation of digital mental health integration within spiritual healing practices in Ghana

Abstract

Abstract Digital innovations, primarily enabled by mobile network access, are emerging as valuable tools for reducing the large mental health treatment gap in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Digital mental health tools are being introduced in West Africa, where strong links between mental health and spiritual practice lead many people to seek care from traditional/faith healers. The intersection of technology and traditional healing may offer a new path for providing care in under-resourced communities but requires adaptation and cultural sensitivity. We explored the views and perceptions of faith healers who used a digital mental health application called M-Healer while caring for people with serious mental illness (SMI) over an 8-week trial period. The M-Healer app teaches basic psychosocial skills to help improve the quality of care and reduce the risk of human rights violations via check-in, patient tracking, video and audio features. This case study draws on a series of semi-structured interviews and design workshops conducted with faith healers at three prayer camps in the Eastern Region of Ghana, from November 2019 to August 2023. Inductive thematic analysis of transcripts yielded two primary themes: (1) opportunities for supporting care at the intersection of technology, spiritual practice and mental health treatment, and (2) tensions regarding the adaptation, adoption and integration of technology in this context. This case study highlights the importance of collaborative design, iterative feedback and spiritual framing when developing a digital tool for use in a low-resource faith-healing setting.