Essentials Of Global Mental Health

Defines an approach to mental healthcare focused on achieving international equity in coverage, options and outcomes.

This unique introduction to the essentials of global health has been constructed by medical students from all over the world through the help of Medsin (now Students for Global Health) and the International Federation of Medical Students’ Association (IFMSA). The global student and trainee author team, recruited and guided initially by Drs Dan and Felicity Knights (themselves students and officers of Medsin when work commenced), identified the key areas to be covered. Then the book they put together was edited by two experts in the field: Mr B Sethia and Professor Parveen Kumar. Royalties raised from this book go to a grant fund for student global health projects. Written by medical students and junior doctors from Students for Global Health and the International Federation of Medical Students’ Association (IFMSA). Edited by two experts in the field, Mr B Sethia and Professor Parveen Kumar. Royalties go to a grant fund for student global health projects.

Essentials of International Health provides an introduction to international health with a focus on epidemiological, political, behavioral, sociological, cultural, and medical dimensions in the field. The text covers problems concerning both developed and developing countries (with an emphasis on developing countries) and introduces population-based public health approaches to solving international health problems. Topics include historical perspectives, health indicators, role of culture and behavior, communicable diseases, non communicable diseases, malnutrition, nutritional deficiencies and obesity, environmental health and population issues, health of women, health of children, mental health, world health systems, and future issues in international health. This text is ideal for undergraduate students, introductory graduate classes, and practitioners interested in working in developing countries.

From the Publisher: Essentials of Global Health is just one offering in Jones and Bartlett's new Essential Public Health series. The book is a clear, concise, and user-friendly introduction to the most critical issues in global health. It illustrates key themes with an extensive set of case studies, examples, and the latest evidence. While the book offers a global perspective, particular attention is given to the health-development link, to developing countries, and to the health needs of poor and disadvantaged people. This introductory level textbook is perfect for undergraduate students and others new to the field of public health or global health. It is based on and designed for a one-semester global health course.

Global health is an area for study, research and practice that places a priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide. Global mental health is the application of these principles to the domain of mental ill-health. The most striking inequity is that concerning the disparities in provision of care and respect for human rights of people living with mental health problems (MHP) between rich and poor countries. Low and middle income countries (LMIC) are home to over 80% of the global population, but command less than 20% of the share of the mental health resources. The consequent 'treatment gap' is in itself a contravention of basic human rights. Even where treatment is provided, far too often this falls far below minimum acceptable standards. Failure to provide basic necessities such as adequate nourishment, clothing, shelter, comfort and privacy, and the administration of unauthorized and unmonitored detention, shackling and chaining are all well documented abuses, described recently as a 'failure of humanity'. The emergence of the discipline of global mental health as one of the most dynamic fields of global health underscores the need for this textbook for students of the discipline. Global mental health was cited by the NIMH Director in his 2012 year-ending blog as one of the major advances in mental health in 2012 and by one of the most influential figures in psychiatry and anthropology, Arthur Kleinman, as the exciting future of academic psychiatry (Br J Psychiatry, December 2012). The scope of the book is to cover two major aspects of the field: its scientific foundations and its practice and opens with an original account charting the history of the field from antiquity to its most recent developments. The language and content is geared towards a wide audience of practitioners and students of global mental health, including those who do not have any previous training in a clinical mental health specialty. This textbook, edited by four of the field's most widely acknowledged champions, with 20 chapters authored by over 30 global leaders of the field from diverse institutions and countries, is aimed to be the definitive text of this dynamic new discipline.

Drawing on the authors’ experience in developing and implementing global mental health programs in crisis and development settings, A Guide to Global Mental Health Practice: Seeing the Unseen is designed for mental health, public health, and primary care professionals new to this emerging area. The guide is organized topically and divided into four sections that move from organizing and delivering global mental health services to clinical practice, and from various settings and populations likely to be encountered to special issues unique to global work. Case studies based around a central scene are threaded throughout the book to convey what global mental health work actually involves. Mental health professionals of all backgrounds, including social workers, nurses, nurse practitioners, psychologists, and psychiatrists, as well as public health professionals and community level medical professionals and mental health advocates will benefit from this engaging primer. It is the book for anyone committed to addressing mental health issues in a low resource or crisis-hit setting, whether international or domestic.

The enormous health and social burdens associated with mental disorders have global reach and persist in the setting of unmet needs. To address these, the pipeline of global mental health trainees must be expanded and nurtured as the next generation of practitioners, investigators, and educators advance innovation in mental health prevention, promotion, and health delivery. This book offers a much-needed introduction to the rapidly evolving field of global mental health. The editors bring their extensive expertise and experience in global mental health research, practice, and training, which includes working in academic and non-profit settings, building collaborations, and teaching hundreds of students and trainees. The volume’s 12 chapters— authored by over 60 contributors from multiple disciplines—offer a breadth of content that comprises an introductory framework. This volume is an essential read for learners and educators who seek to explore or deepen their interest in the field of global mental health. Its orientation to fundamentals of practice and training and contextualization with social science perspectives will also be invaluable to health professionals, social scientists, policymakers, and other professionals who are invested in training the next generation of global mental health practitioners.

This handbook incisively explores challenges and opportunities that exist in efforts aimed at addressing inequities in mental health provision across the globe. Drawing on various disciplines across the humanities, psychology, and social sciences it charts the emergence of Global Mental Health as a field of study. It critically reflects on efforts and interventions being made to globalize mental health policies, and discusses key themes relevant for understanding and supporting the mental health needs of people living in diverse socio-economical and cultural environments. Over three rich sections, the handbook critically engages with Global Mental Health discourses. To help guide future efforts to support mental health and wellbeing in different parts of the world, the third section of the handbook consists of case studies of innovative mental health policy and practice, which are presented from a variety of different perspectives. This seminal handbook will appeal to a transnational community of post-graduate students, academics and practitioners, from global health to transcultural psychiatry and medical anthropology. It will be also of interest to researchers and clinical practitioners, policy makers and non-governmental organisations involved in cross-cultural mental health work.