Global Mental Health: A Call for Increased Awareness and Action for Family Therapists

Abstract

Global mental health (GMH) is an emerging field that focuses on the need for culturally sensitive mental health services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While many new initiatives have been established worldwide to understand GMH needs and to provide care in LMICs, family therapists have primarily worked with families in high-income countries. The few existing family-based initiatives in GMH focus on psychoeducation and are typically not based on general systems theory. However, emerging trends in family therapy may enable family therapists to impact mental health issues in LMICs. These trends, which are shared interests of both family therapy and GMH, include collaborative care, a growing emphasis on the importance of culture in understanding and treating mental health issues, recognition of the ability of families to support or impede recovery from mental illness, and the use of strength-based and evidence-based treatments. This paper describes ways for family therapists to become active in the GMH community.

A Phenomenological Study on the Experience of Syrian Asylum‐Seekers and Refugees in the United States

“…Indeed, Patterson et al. () emphasize the importance of clinical interventions for families fleeing from violence and persecution.…”

“…A foundational understanding may also prevent misattribution of complaints. Indeed, Patterson et al (2017) emphasize the importance of clinical interventions for families fleeing from violence and persecution.…”

Family Focused Care for Refugees and Displaced Populations: Global Opportunities for Family Therapists

“…Many countries around the world, including the Unites States, are housing refugees who would benefit from the application of modified therapy models. With their systemic focus on family collaboration, social support, culture, and community, family therapists are strongly positioned to address the often underserved yet important aspects of treating global mental health issues (Patterson et al., ). The values and strengths of family therapists are closely aligned with the needs of the global refugee population, and existing family therapy models could be modified to effectively address the suffering of refugees.…”

“…In working with refugees, a family therapy approach should include the following: Focus less on theory and more on skills and interventions that engage family members and facilitate communication. Pay special attention to cultural norms when tailoring interventions for specific ethnic communities (Patterson et al., ). View all treatments through the lens of limited funding, limited resources and the need to create treatment models that are sustainable (Patterson et al., ). Deliver care where families are most likely to be able to receive it, including medical clinics and schools (Mishori, Aleinikorr, & Davis, ; Slobodin & de Jong, ; Walden, ). Address the shortage of mental health resources by increasing the ability of families and communities to provide some of their own care, which would involve training and supervising lay persons to deliver some care (Patterson et al., ). …”

“…However, the challenges of providing therapy to people who have been forced to leave their home countries are exacerbated by the unique issues associated with displacement and relocation. These issues include difficulties with accessing services, limited availability of qualified mental health professionals, lack of adequate funding, and cultural impediments to care (Patterson, Edwards, & Vakili, ). Other issues involve changing family configurations and acculturation challenges.…”