The cultural construction of healing in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: implications for mental health practice

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has been widely hailed by men tal health practitioners and others as a source of psychological healing. I n this article we consider this claim and its relevance to clinical practic e. Recent research in anthropology and related disciplines in South Africa and elsewhere raises questions about the cultural construction of traumatic memory and healing. We argue that these questions have bearing on how we u nderstand the role of mental health practitioners and mental health institu tions in the post-TRC period. Case material is be used to illustrate our vi ew that it is important to distinguish between individual and collective he aling.