Mental disorders are a significant individual, family and societal burden experienced in countries and cultures throughout the world (WHO, 2001). From limited research, the prevalence of mental illness in the Middle East has been found to be comparable to other parts of the world (Karam et al., 2006), with overall 12-month prevalence rates of 17% and lifetime rates of 33% (Kessler et al., 2007; WHO World Mental Health Survey Consortium, 2004). Compared to individuals in western countries, however, those in the Middle East with mental illness receive treatment at considerably lower rates (

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There has been a call for cross-cultural research in the understanding of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of ethnicity and culture on the understanding of NSSI among social work students in the United States, Greece/Cyprus, and Jordan. A convenience sample of 438 social work students was used. Participants completed a 60-item questionnaire. Results revealed statistically significant differences in students' knowledge and cultural beliefs about NSSI by country. This study makes a novel contribution to the exploration of cultural aspects of NSSI and has implications for international social work practice and education.

The purpose of this article is to generate meaningful understanding of the mental health informal carers’ experience and to identify a possible approach to social work intervention. A mixed method of quantitative and qualitative analysis was used for data collection. The findings reveal that most of the informal carers are female adult. They experience stress, domestic violence, social exclusion as a result of the caring role, and fear of stigma. Cultural and religious factors must be considered when translating the caring role. The findings suggest implications for social work practice at a community level, utilizing a familial and support-group approach, with a practice that is sensitive to gender and religion.

Collaborative work in social work education at an international level is often portrayed as a contested and problematic arena. In particular, concerns that this type of work risks the host country being subjected to post-colonial assumptions and oppression are commonly expressed in the literature (Doel and Penn, 2007). This article reflects on the process of collaboration between academics in Jordan and the UK who engaged in a project to develop social work in Jordan. An initial exploration of the emergence of social work in the country and recent pressures on service provision identify the key issues which became the focus of the project. A brief review of the literature recognizes the potential problems in collaborative developmental work between countries and cultures. The article then reflects briefly on the practical outcomes of the collaboration, before turning to consider important issues in the establishment of effective, positive relationships through critical dialogue based on human dignity and recognition of commonalities as well as differences. Social work in JordanSocial work has been recognized as a formal activity in the Royal Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan since the beginning of the 20th century,