Global Mental Health

THE BOOK

While there is increasing political interest in research and policy-making for global mental health, there remain major gaps in the education of students in health fields for understanding the complexities of diverse mental health conditions. Drawing on the experience of many well-known experts in this area, this book uses engaging narratives to illustrate that mental illnesses are not only problems experienced by individuals but must also be understood and treated at the social and cultural levels. The book -includes discussion of traditional versus biomedical beliefs about mental illness, the role of culture in mental illness, intersections between religion and mental health, intersections of mind and body, and access to health care; -is ideal for courses on global mental health in psychology, public health, and anthropology departments and other health-related programs.

“At BasicNeeds we run programmes for mentally ill people in 12 low income countries and the challenges we face daily are uncannily similar to those described in this powerful book. We identify people who need support, who struggle for treatment and who in the end contribute productively to their homes and community. None of this would be possible without a deep respect for the diverse cultures we work in and this book perfectly balances these imperatives of working with a community based approach and culture. Deeply sensitive, insightful and practical.”
—Chris Underhill MBE, founder/President, BasicNeed

“This book is truly global in its focus on both high- and low-income countries’ mental health services, thus addressing issues that affect all health systems. The contributions range from psychiatric residents in Boston and peer providers in Chicago to nurses in Liberia and community health workers in Haiti. Through the narratives of patients and health-care providers, the chapters taken together demonstrate a range of barriers to accessing care.”
—From the foreword by Vikram Patel

“This outstanding collection of studies shows the vigor and promise of anthropological approaches for advancing global mental health. The editors have assembled a new generation of scholars who address the social structural origins of mental health problems and novel treatment approaches to improving access to culturally appropriate care. Special attention is given to the dominant strategy of task-shifting as well as to alternative models of care that incorporate indigenous concepts of distress and healing practices. The book is truly global in scope—touching on issues distinctive to urban and rural, wealthy and low income settings.”
—Laurence J. Kirmayer, McGill University

“Global Mental Health is not only for anthropologists but should be read by mental health professionals more generally and mental health policymakers in particular. The field of mental health is in need of a strong anthropological perspective. This would provide a balance of views and a more holistic approach to mental health in both knowledge and intervention.”
—Michael J. Kral, American Journal of Human Biology

THE SYMPOSIUM

I co-hosted the symposium “Global Mental Health: Transdisciplinary Perspectives” at Georgetown University with Dr. Yulia Chentsova from the Psychology Department.  Readthe PRESS and LISTEN to the incredible Keynotes and Panels below.

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE

CENTER FOR GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

LONG IGNORED IN GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT, MENTAL ILLNESS IS DECLARED A TOP PRIORITY

MAKING MENTAL HEALTH A GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PRIORITY

WELCOME AND KEYNOTE AUDIO

Welcomes by John Monahan and Dr. Emily Mendenhall

The Maloy Distinguished Keynote Lecture by Dr. Vikram Patel

PANEL 1 AUDIO

Panel 1: Context and Mental Health : Culture, Poverty, and Religion

Panel Chair: Dr. Laurence Kirmayer

Panelists: Dr. Crick Lund, Dr. Thomas Csordas, Dr. Janice Cooper, And Dr. Nuwan Jayawickreme

PANEL 2 AUDIO

Panel 2: How Do We Conceptualize Mental Health?

Panel Chair: Dr. Janis Jenkins

Panelists: Dr. Yulia Chentsova, Dr. Brandon Kohrt, Dr. Bahr Weiss, And Dr. Shige Oishi

PANEL 3 AUDIO

Panel 3:  How Do We Provide Services for Marginalized Populations?

Panel Chair: Dr. Vikram Patel

Panelists: Chris Underhill, Dr. Yueqin Huang, Dr. Junko Tanaka-Matsumi, And Dr. Maria Elena Medina-Mora

PANEL 4 AUDIO

Panel 4: Does One Size Fit All? Opportunities and Challenges In Policy and Finance For Global Mental Health

Panel Chair: Dr. Pamela Collins

Panelists: Dr. Keshav Desiraju, Dr. Shenkhar Saxena, Dr. Mark Jordans, And Dr. Florence Baingana