Volume :

8

Issue :

1

Abstract :

Background: Magico-religious beliefs and superstitions play a decisive role in the socio religious life of tea garden tribal population of Assam. Aim: To assess the Supernatural beliefs towards mental illness prevailing among tea garden population and to compare with non tribal population of Assam. Materials and methods: The study was conducted at the Community Services camp of LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health (LGBRIMH), Tezpur Assam. A monthly community mental health services camp is organized for treating people with mental illness at Sootea block of Sonitpur, district, Assam was used for selection of sample. The study was a cross sectional comparative study .For the study 30 tea garden tribal patients and 30 non tribal patients along with their care givers were selected .Socio demographic data sheet and 39 the supranaturel attitude questionnaire were administered to them. Results: Findings from the present study revealed that there is a widespread belief in supernatural causation of mental illness among caregivers of tea garden tribal population as compared to non tribal population. Conclusion: In tea garden, interference of supernatural agency is particularly strong in context of mental illness. Tribal population has magicoreligious and supernatural beliefs ( Jadu tona, Bhoot Pret , Opari Kasar , evil spirit and Devi Devta Prakop etc) regarding mental illness .There is need for psycho social intervention and services in tea garden community for early identification ,treatment and de-stigmatization of mental illness.