Illness explanatory models of depression among young people in low-resource settings: A qualitative study in Ghana and Zimbabwe

This study provides a culturally grounded understanding of how young people in Ghana and Zimbabwe conceptualise depression, shaped by both emic and etic influences. Participants described depression using local idioms and spiritual explanations, while also recognising biomedical symptoms and socio-economic stressors. These findings underscore the need for interventions that integrate traditional beliefs with evidence-based approaches. Implementing multi-stakeholder approaches that engage families, schools, and spiritual leaders may be critical in reducing stigma, improving care access, and enhancing depression outcomes for young people.