Global Mental Health

3 units

This course aims to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of the current debates that are shaping Global Mental Health (GMH) in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). It examines the history of GMH, its key principles, policies and practices alongside the challenges inherent to their implementation in some of the most challenging contexts. Using practical examples of GMH interventions in the area of stigma, depression, trauma and the mental health of marginalized populations, students will be encouraged to critically engage with concepts relevant to, social work, public health, sociology and anthropology so as to reflect on the design, applicability and relevance of such interventions. Furthermore, the course will examine several key issues inherent to the field, such as the cultural validity of modern psychiatric diagnosis, as well as its research methods and assessment techniques. Guest speakers will include individuals working on the forefront of GMH application. The course is designed to compel future social workers to think globally but act locally when debating and addressing mental health issues in an international context.