Social work students spent four days in a rural community in the
state of Morelos to learn about the role of social workers from
rural Mexican contexts. Many members of the community embrace
many different forms of traditional healing to treat—what
western society may label—physical diseases, mental disorders,
and pregnancies. Or, community members use traditional healing
simply to build one’s spirit and heighten attention to one’s
internal state of affairs. |"Photo of a Temazcal--| students
went inside in groups of 8-9 You may ask why are social work
students participating in what many—especially in today’s
world—would label “outdated” or “strange” healing practices? In
order to meet a diversity of clients where they are, social
workers must understand the importance of traditional healing
customs. The best way to understand such customs—an important
piece of many indigenous cultures—is to participate in them.
Students can work in their future careers to integrate
traditional healing methods into the medical