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Abstract Background: Mental health problems are a major concern in the world both developed and developing countries that leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide around 450 million people which affects everyone at every stage of life regardless of age, sex, rural or urban area and income and cause significant morbidity because it is accompanied by other pandemics, namely stigma and discrimination. The concept of mental disorders varies across cultures because culture shapes expressions, perceptions and treatment preferences so that each culture has its own way of explaining mental disorders based on a set of beliefs and practices in determining causes, health seeking behavior and treatment choices. Different views are based on prevailing local belief systems and cultural norms that influence individual decisions to seek and follow up treatment and care. Health beliefs as a framework for understanding perceptions of mental disorders because these factors influence help seeking behavior. Purpose : The aim of the study was to explore health beliefs and community perceptions about mental disorders in Belu district, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province. Method: An ethnographic approach used by focused ethnography. Data collection during 1 month (February 25 until March 25, 2019) through interviews, documents, and observations. Tested semi-structured interview guide. The type of purposive sampling consisted of 18 participants consisting of 6 community, 6 health workers, 6 traditional elders living in Belu, NTT. Data analysis using NVIVO.