Alternative treatment for schizophrenia with a local wisdom approach in the Tidung tribe community of Tarakan City: a descriptive qualitative study

The Tidung community employed traditional methods and botanical remedies to treat schizophrenia, which is part of their local expertise, particularly in public health. This generational knowledge encompasses skills such as massage, chants, mantras, and herbal remedies. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the Tidung community can benefit from these traditional practices as alternative therapies for schizophrenia. The study involved thirteen participants who were conventional practitioners treating schizophrenia and employed a qualitative descriptive methodology. We collected data through field notes and in-depth interviews and then used Colaizzi’s approach for analysis. Four major themes emerged from the study: i) the conventional methods used to treat schizophrenia; ii) the reasons for the shortcomings of these methods; iii) the role of supernatural elements in the therapeutic process; and iv) the expectations of traditional healers regarding patient recovery. The results showed that early use of spiritual therapies leads to higher recovery rates compared to physical therapy and herbal medications. We view traditional medicine in this context as a combination of prayer (supernatural components), action (administering potions), and therapy.