COMMUNITY HEALING TRADITIONS AND MENTAL WELLNESS AMONG TRIBAL WOMEN OF ODISHA

This article explores the relationship between community healing traditions and mentalwellness among tribal women in Odisha through the lens of Indian Knowledge Systems. While major biomedical approaches view emotional distress as a biological and isolated issue, indigenous communities understand mental well-being as a harmony between the individual, the community, nature and spiritual life. Drawing on secondary sources, this study examines the collective lifestyles of various indigenous groups in Odisha. The findings of this study reveals that different rituals, agricultural celebrations and oral traditions play vital role as community led systems of emotional support. Tribal women acts as the main custodians of this ancestral knowledge. Through their understanding of ethnomedicine, mediation of village disputes and support during crises, women help in reducing social isolation. Finally, the article proposes a practical strategy to integrate these practices intoIndia's public healthcare system under AYUSH and National Health Mission frameworks. It concludes that modern health initiatives can improve community participation and trustby linking health programs with local traditions and seasonal cycles.