International Perspectives on Mental Health


Book Description

... Is a unique collection of authoritative briefings from over 90 countries around the world. Each chapter covers a particular country's demographics, mental health resources, undergraduate education, postgraduate training in psychiatry, research activities, mental health legislation, and policy and development strategies.




International Perspectives in Values-Based Mental Health Practice


Book Description

This open access book offers essential information on values-based practice (VBP): the clinical skills involved, teamwork and person-centered care, links between values and evidence, and the importance of partnerships in shared decision-making. Different cultures have different values; for example, partnership in decision-making looks very different, from the highly individualized perspective of European and North American cultures to the collective and family-oriented perspectives common in South East Asia. In turn, African cultures offer yet another perspective, one that falls between these two extremes (called batho pele). The book will benefit everyone concerned with the practical challenges of delivering mental health services. Accordingly, all contributions are developed on the basis of case vignettes, and cover a range of situations in which values underlie tensions or uncertainties regarding how to proceed in clinical practice. Examples include the patient’s autonomy and best interest, the physician’s commitment to establishing high standards of clinical governance, clinical versus community best interest, institutional versus clinical interests, patients insisting on medically unsound but legal treatments etc. Thus far, VBP publications have mainly dealt with clinical scenarios involving individual values (of clinicians and patients). Our objective with this book is to develop a model of VBP that is culturally much broader in scope. As such, it offers a vital resource for mental health stakeholders in an increasingly inter-connected world. It also offers opportunities for cross-learning in values-based practice between cultures with very different clinical care traditions.




Global Mental Health


Book Description

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.




Mental Health and Wellbeing in Rural Regions


Book Description

This book considers how rurality interacts with the mental health and wellbeing of individuals and communities in different regional settings. Through the use of international and comparative case studies, the book offers insight into the spatiality of mental health diagnoses, experiences, services provision and services access between and within rural areas. It is the first book to specifically address rural mental health geographies from an international perspective, and will be of interest to researchers and policymakers in rural studies, regional studies, health geography and rural mental health.




Public Mental Health: Global Perspectives


Book Description

This book will provide readers with an overview of the core knowledge and issues in public mental health, and a guide for students and practitioners on the evidence and tools available to help them develop Public Mental Health programs that work in practice.




Postpsychiatry


Book Description

For most of us the words madness and psychosis conjure up fear and images of violence. Using short stories, the authors consider complex philosphical issues from a fresh perspective. The current debates about mental health policy and practice are placed into their historical and cultural contexts.




Coercion in Community Mental Health Care


Book Description

The use of coercion is one of the defining issues of mental health care. Since the earliest attempts to contain and treat the mentally ill, power imbalances have been evident and a cause of controversy. There has always been a delicate balance between respecting autonomy and ensuring that those who most need treatment and support are provided with it. Coercion in Community Mental Health Care: International Perspectives is an essential guide to the current coercive practices worldwide, both those founded in law and those 'informal' processes whose coerciveness remains contested. It does so from a variety of perspectives, drawing on diverse disciplines such as history, law, sociology, anthropology and medicine to provide a comprehensive summary of the current debates in the field. Edited by leading researchers in the field, Coercion in Community Mental Health Care: International Perspectives provides a unique discussion of this prominent issue in mental health. Divided into five sections covering origins and extent, evidence, experiences, context and international perspectives this is ideal for mental health practitioners, social scientists, ethicists and legal professionals wishing to expand their knowledge of the subject area.




International Perspectives on Traumatic Stress


Book Description

Artemis, namesake of this journal and goddess of light, had the divine duty of illuminating the darkness. Often she is depicted carrying a candle or torch, lighting the way for others and leading them through territories yet uncharted. Known as the chaste Greek goddess associated with the moon and hunt, her connection with the natural world symbolized her own untamed spirit, and she became the patron saint of childbirth, protector of wild animals, virgins and the powerless. Her illumination lends inspiration to the theme of this edition, courage of our convictions, shedding light into the unknown and supporting us with her courage and strength.




Global Perspectives on Mental-Physical Comorbidity in the WHO World Mental Health Surveys


Book Description

The World Mental Health Surveys were established by the World Health Organization in 2000 to provide valuable information for physicians and health policy planners. These surveys have shed light on the prevalence, correlates, burden, and treatment of mental disorders in countries throughout the world. This volume focuses on the epidemiology of coexisting physical and mental illness around the world. This book includes surveys from 17 discrete countries on six continents, covering epidemiology, risk factors, consequences, and implications for research, clinical work, and policy. Many physical and mental illnesses share a relationship with one another and often occur simultaneously. Clinicians from the disciplines of both psychiatry and medicine are increasingly faced with both challenges on a daily basis, making this an ideal book for a wide range of health professionals. This is the first book devoted to this topic on such a wide-ranging scale.




Public Mental Health: Global Perspectives


Book Description

Mental health is a fundamental public health priority, and this stimulating and comprehensive book brings together all of the key issues to offer an overview for students and practitioners alike. Written by a team of leading international experts, the book summarizes the evidence base and asks the key questions at the heart of a range of topics from community development to public mental health in schools and recovery and well-being. The book includes: Mini toolkits at the end of each chapter that include tips for effective practice, reflection points and questions to consider Case studies exploring real world examples of public mental health in action Discussion and opinion encouraging readers to question and debate the issues at the core of public mental health policy The book also includes a chapter written by Kate E. Pickett and Richard G. Wilkinson, authors of the best selling book The Spirit Level. Public Mental Health: Global Perspectives is an invaluable tool to give readers the confidence to develop effective mental health tools and programs that will improve public mental health. Contributors: John Ashton, Jane Barlow, Annette Beautrais, Peter Byrne, Sandra Carlisle, Mima Cattan, Elaine Church, Cary Cooper, Patrick Corrigan, Mary O’Hagan, Phil Hanlon, Eva Jané-Llopis, Anthony Jorm, Gregory Luke Larkin, Crick Lund, Jane Mathieson, Margaret Maxwell, Maura Mulloy, Michael Nash, Inge Petersen, Kate Pickett, Nicola Reavley, Nicholas Rüsch, Jude Stansfield, Sarah Stewart-Brown, Mark Weist and Richard Wilkinson. "This book is written by renowned experts from a wide range of disciplines who carefully explore issues and tensions within the field. It will be a great resource not just for those working in public health practice but also for all those whose work has an influence on this vitally important aspect of human life." Professor Lindsey Davies, President of the Faculty of Public Health "The book provides a convincing account of the many ways in which our society could become more mentally healthy. It should be read by businessmen, teachers and politicians as much as by clinicians" Prof Lord Layard