Globalization of psychology: Implications for the development of psychology in Ethiopia

Abstract

The present article reports on the variation of mental health resources across the globe and considers the merits or otherwise of the process of globalization in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), with a specific emphasis on Ethiopia. Although globalization has gained momentum in recent years, there is a concern that the globalization of Western mental health frameworks is problematic, as these concepts have been developed in a different context and do not accommodate the current diversity in understanding in LMIC countries. The importance of understanding the mental health frameworks of LMIC like Ethiopia, prior to considering if and how aspects of high-income countries (HIC) conceptualizations may be appropriately imported, is therefore reflected upon. Traditional approaches in managing mental health difficulties and possible reasons for the limited engagement with clinical psychology in Ethiopia are considered. Current developments within the fields of mental health and clinical psychology in Ethiopia are discussed, and the need to develop more local research in order to increase understanding and evaluate treatment interventions is recognized. Further consideration and debate by Ethiopian mental health professionals as well as those from HIC are recommended, to promote both reciprocal learning and new local discourses about mental health.

Globalization and Neoliberalism: Structural Determinants of Global Mental Health?

“…Following a similar theme, using the example of children's mental health, Timimi (2012) argues that the neoliberalization of society and psychiatry has been accompanied by a process of commodification, in which treatment is just another commodity to be sold and exported to a global market, and higher value is placed on "quick fixes" such as medication. Concerns over this globalized process of medicalization of mental health have been raised by a number of other academics (Applbaum 2009;Conrad and Bergey 2014;Swancott, Uppal, and Crossley 2014).…”

Developing a Framework to Increase Access to Mental Health Services for Children With Special Needs in Ethiopia

“…Even when more Westernized services are available or accessible, people do not tend to utilize the services (Desalew and Yigzaw, 2007;Zeleke et al, 2019) and will only resort to modern mental health services after trying, and failing, with other traditional healing. In this way, traditional beliefs hindered the development of westernized service provision to those with mental health concerns (Kortmann, 1987;Jacobsson and Merdassa, 1991;Uppal et al, 2014), especially in the rural communities (Janetius et al, 2013).…”