The legacy of colonialism in Guatemala and its impact on the psychological and mental health of indigenous Mayan communities

Abstract

This article briefly traces the history of the colonisation of Guatemala, its impact on the indigenous Mayan communities, the Maya relationship to nature, and the effects of displacement on the psychological and mental health of indigenous communities. It includes three narrative accounts that describe indigenous experiences of mental health and the impact of different mental health interventions in Mayan communities in Guatemala.

Keywords:

• Guatemala
• decolonisation
• mental health
• Maya
• indigenous communities

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).