Global Mental Health in Low- and Middle-Income-Settings

• Sociocultural perspectives on mental health: Global and LMIC contexts

• Social determinants of mental health at individual and population levels
• Diagnosis and classification of mental disorders: Treatment opportunities and challenges in low-resource Settings
• Child and adolescent mental health: Developmental and contextual considerations
• Strategies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to mental health
• Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS): Stepped care models and interventions
• Community-based mental health approaches and prevention strategies
• Post-colonial perspectives on mental health care and Ssystems
• Addressing stigma in mental health: Barriers and solutions
• Cultural andsSpiritual dimensions of mental health and well-being
• Global migration and mental health: Challenges and support mechanisms
• Mental health in crisis contexts: War, poverty, Psychological First Aid, and trauma interventions in humanitarian settings
• Global burden of mental disorders and public health implications

At the end of the module, the participants will be able to:

1. Analyze the sociocultural, economic, and global determinants of mental health, including the impact of migration, conflict, and poverty.
2. Evaluate classification systems, treatment approaches, and challenges in diagnosing and managing mental disorders, particularly in low-resource settings.
3. Develop strategies for community-based mental health care, psychosocial support interventions, and stigma reduction, incorporating cultural and spiritual perspectives.
4. Assess the role of mental health in global policies, including its integration into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and humanitarian response frameworks.

Public health professionals, epidemiologists, researchers, health policy planners, and health allied professionals interested in mental health and the global and LMIC context.

Registration is TBA

From February 10–14, 2025, the Center for International Health hosted an engaging and insightful course on Global Mental Health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) at the Teaching & Training Unit. Under the leadership of PD Dr. Andrea Jobst, this immersive program brought together experts, practitioners, and researchers from across the world to discuss the pressing mental health challenges faced globally, with a focus on community-based interventions, trauma, stigma, and culturally relevant solutions.

Key Highlights:

• Determinants of Global Mental Health: Insights from Wolfgang Krahl, exploring social and systemic factors affecting mental health.
• Epistemology in Mental Health: A critical discussion on post-colonial influences in global mental health, led by Lisa Heinrich.
• Addiction & Psychological Interventions: From substance use disorders to Pm+ and EQUIP, Mahmoud Hemmo shed light on practical solutions for mental health care in underserved regions.
• Child & Adolescent Mental Health: Surafel Worku shared Ethiopian approaches to tackling mental health issues in young populations.
• MHPSS & Trauma Interventions: Experts from War Child Holland presented successful projects from Uganda, South Sudan, and more.
• Mental Health in Migration & Humanitarian Settings: Discussions on cultural, spiritual, and systemic factors shaping mental health care, led by Michael Strupft, Hannah Strohmeier, and others.
• Country-Specific Perspectives: India’s medical system, Ethiopia’s mental health landscape, and innovative NGO-led projects were explored.
• Participants engaged in critical reflections, workshops, interviews before rounding off the course with a written assessment.

A huge thank you to the incredible faculty, including Dr. Andrea Jobst, Wolfgang Krahl, Mahmoud Hemmo, Surafel Worku, Dörte Bemme, Lisa Heinrich, Vidya Arunachalam and many more, for their expertise, thought-provoking discussions, and practical insights.