07 July 2021
Dear readers,
Welcome to the new edition of Global Mental Health Unboxed, welcome to the new readers, and welcome to summer (in the Northern Hemisphere). This edition will be briefer than usual in the hopes that you will be using some vacation time to relax - and because the global mental health field also seems to be taking a break during the summer, so the events, job ads and publications sections are short and sweet. This is more than compensated for by the resources, which provide some light beach reading…
Any feedback and suggestions you want to send will reach me at manolova.gergana@gmail.com - I will be happy to consider including your materials, job ads, publications and contributions here.
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Yours,
Gergana
Events in Global Mental Health
The event calendar for 2021 is updated and you can keep track of it at globallyminded.org. Most of the events this year are taking place online and there is a serious question mark hanging over those announced to be in person. The online events are announced on a very short timeline and I often put them on the events list only 2-3 days before they are due, so I would recommend you keep checking the list regularly to see what is coming up.
19 July-4 August 2021 - ONLINE SUMMER LECTURE SERIES 2021. Predicting the long-term effects of Covid-19 pandemic: recommendation to strengthen mental health system by the Center for Public Mental Health (CPMH) Fakultas Psikologi Universitas Gadjah Mada - if you are in the mood for learning, join this summer series with a stellar cast of speakers from the international mental health community, organized into a three-week course by the Indonesidan Universitas Gadjah Mada. Different levels of participation and commitment are possible - from free to credits. I will personally be applying for admission to hear about what a pandemic-prepared mental health system looks like.
Jobs in Global Mental Health
The jobs listed here might not be advertised as being in global mental health and the decision for including them is mine alone. Unless otherwise stated, I have found out about them through job sites, social media posts, other newsletters and so on, so I have no more information on them than publicly available and you should refer to those listed in the job ad.
No or minimum experience (up to 2 years) necessary
Operations Assistant (Part time), Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, UK - by 26 July
2021 Young Mental Health Leaders Council Application by Mental Health America, US - by 20 August
Some experience (2-5 years) necessary
Researcher, War Child (various possible) - by 18 July
Project Coordinator, IFRC, Denmark
5+ years of experience necessary
NCDS & MENTAL HEALTH OFFICER (SSA), WHO, Sierra Leone - by 20 July
Senior Officer, United for Global Mental Health, Remote
Director of Independent Monitoring and Accountability, United for Global Mental Health, Remote
Director of Partner Engagement, United for Global Mental Health, Remote
GBV MHPSS Specialist, UNFPA, Bangladesh - by 13 July
Resources in Global Mental Health
A section for various opportunities, databanks, information sources that may prove helpful
This month we reap the benefits of two big events in the world of global mental health standards, which strengthen the field of community mental health practice - guides launched by the World Health Organization and CBM Global.
Community Mental Health Good Practice Guides by CBM Global - with a focus on disability, CBM Global can mobilize a lot of experience and examples for their Good Practice Guides, which are available in English, French and Spanish. The guides are on topics such as peer support, strengthening mental health systems, working against stigma, conducting forums on mental health with community representatives, as well as the intersection of neglected tropical diseases and mental health. The case studies are based on the work of CBM Global and partners and show viable solutions to mental health problems on the ground; the guides also provide frameworks in these areas. Any organization working in mental health can find something for itself in these packages, as well as instructions on how to transfer it to other settings and adapt it contextually.
Guidance and technical packages on community mental health services by the World Health Organization - building also on the Quality Rights initiative and the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, the WHO combines the detailed framework of policy and key actions which is their specialty with case studies from over 15 countries of mental health services at nearly all points of access, treatment and recovery of an ideal mental health system. The technical packages are thematic and present peer support, community outreach, hospital-based, crisis and community services, supported living and finally comprehensive mental health services. I was looking forward to these packages and I think this was deserved - they will be a new benchmark for mental health service standards, and centering human rights and the UN CRPD, they will also be a game-changer.
Latest Publications in Global Mental Health
The selection of publications ultimately reflects my personal knowledge and preferences, but I have no intended bias. Feel free to send me publications you consider interesting or that you would like to be featured.
A thorough review of 19 country reports submitted by countries about how they are carrying out their duties under the UN Convention on the Rights for People with Disabilities (CRPD). The review by Eaton et al. was looking at the parts of these reports which dealt with psychosocial disabilities and was directed by a steering group with lived experience of psychosocial disabilities. The rigorous methodology found inconsistent reporting in that area by countries, especially low- and middle income countries (LMIC), implying states have a long way to go in attention and consideration to the human rights of people with psychosocial disabilities under CRPD. The results also imply that more resources and empowerment are needed to people with lived experience to combat stigma and genuinely ensure their equal participation in making policies and establishing practices.
Towards racial equity in global mental health research
This commentary by Chibanda et al. on an important and neglected topic is also a commentary on the power distribution in global mental health research, pointing out some of the ways in which institutions in high-income countries (HIC) could support researchers in LMIC, where the division is often along the lines of racialised groups. Addressing the inequalities of power will go some way to rebalancing the agenda of global mental health research and the authors note that more funding, home mentoring for earlier-career researchers and more opportunities for equal participation in the visible products of academia - grants and publications - are needed to even the playing ground. Due to the brevity of the piece there isn’t that much detail. Based on the direct feedback of my global mental health peers who struggle to find positions and suitable mentors to fit their interests, I would add to the list systems for encouraging students from LMIC to enter the field and provide funding and home mentoring during their rise through academic ranks.
Where are the regional gaps in the scientific evidence?
Also a brief piece, the study by Spagnolo et al. looks at countries represented in systematic reviews of psychosocial interventions in LMIC. I have a feeling that the map which shows the representation will be a handy resource to refer to in discussions of geographical evidence gaps. To sum up:
“[…] few studies were from central, northern, and western Africa, central America and parts of South America, eastern Europe, and central and west Asia.”
The authors point out the lack of health workers, the language barrier and the political and socioeconomic situation as potential barriers for the evidence; I have to add here the lack of funding and donors for dedicated research, or the lack of research staff for that matter. It would be interesting to map global mental health funding in the past 10-15 years geographically. Any takers?
*Social media image courtesy of Pexels
The Language Corner
This Language Corner relies on interactions with you, the readers, to build an entertaining little multi-way dictionary of global mental health terms. Needless to say, terms don’t always translate equally well and might evoke different emotions in the different languages.
This issue - a one-sentence recipe for good mental health self-care which I’ve put together and hope you will enjoy this month. Please send in more languages in the comments!
Arabic [read right to left] - التدريب بدني والطعام الجيد والنوم الكافي والإبداع والمحادثات الجيدة
Bulgarian - Физическа активност, добра храна, достатъчно сън, творчество и добри разговори.
English - Physical activity, good food, enough sleep, creativity and good conversations.
French - Fitness, bonne nourriture, sommeil suffisant, créativité et bonnes conversations.
German - Bewegung, gutes Essen, ausreichend Schlaf, Kreativität und gute Gespräche.
Russian - Физические упражнения, хорошее питание, полноценный сон, творчество и хорошие разговоры.
Spanish - Actividad física, buena comida, sueño adecuado, creatividad y buenas conversaciones.