156 Social Work Practice in Mental Health: Cross-Cultural Perspectives Cultural Perspectives and Attitudes toward Mental Health in Nigeria: Social Workers at a Dilemma Tormusa Daniel Orngu ABSTRACT: This paper explores the diverse perspectives and attitudes toward mental illness among ethnic groups, cultures, and societies in Nigeria. It reiterates how cultural and religious teachings often influence beliefs about the origins and nature of mental illness, which shape peoples’ attitudes toward the mentally ill. Major findings of this papers how that most African cultures attribute mental illness to spiritual forces; they also posit that mental illness runs in a family therefore it is inheritable; and that one cannot be completely cured from it. This therefore means mental illness being regarded as a cultural based problem. Since most of the mentally ill persons hardly ever seek treatment it then appears as if the social work profession is ineffective in helping individuals overcome social problems. The paper therefore recommends the promotion and integration of mental health treatment into the various health centers in rural communities. There is a need to also embark on a wider campaign to discourage families from abandoning mentally ill people. Keywords: Mental Illness, Cultural Perspectives, Beliefs, Attitudes, Perception, Treatment, Stigma, and Social Work. INTRODUCTION Every society holds unique and different attitudes toward mental illness. This varies according to individuals’ perceptions, families, ethnic groups and even religious beliefs. Nigeria, being a multi-ethnic and religious nation, is confronted with various belief systems which reflect the identity of the various ethnic societies in the country. The religious and cultural beliefs of the people to a large extent influence their conception of the causes and effects, the origin and nature of mental illness, which directs their attitudes towards the mentally ill. This also influences the social stigma the mentally ill individuals experience as well as their ability and willingness to seek treatment. To attain effective intervention from social workers, it is therefore necessary to understand the cultural beliefs of the people. Abdullah and Brown (2011) note that there are a wide range of cultural beliefs surrounding mental health. Some cultures stigmatise the mentally ill while other cultures select only a few types of mentally ill cases and stigmatise them. The stigmatisation of mental illness can therefore be influenced by other factors, such as the perceived cause of mental illness. When the mentally ill are stigmatised it often leads to discrimination, or the inequitable treatment of the individual and denial of theirrights and responsibilities that should