in2mentalhealth
image from transitionsabroad
map of Africa, worldatlas.com
With e few hundred other delegated from all over the world, I attended this 3 days biennial Global Mental Health Congress(WMHC2011), organized by the South African Federation of Mental Health(SAFMH) and the World Federation for Mental Health(WFMH). Besides 5 keynote lectures each day, there were 20 symposia, 21 free paper sessions, 16 workshops, 4 video-presentations and dozens meet-the-author poster sessions. Continue reading
With more then 100 others I attended today, 17 October 2011, this one day summit in Cape Town, South Africa. Although I missed the very first part of the day (due to waiting cue for the registration) and the very last part (due to the desire to do some groceries before shops were closed), I followed all the other 25 presentations and 6 plenary discussions. Continue reading
What will be the most easy and most effective way to reach and train health workers in the field about mental health treatments? Now we have the WHO mhGAP Intervention Guide, but how to get this guide implemented in all the corners of the world? Printed on paper? Via the internet? Smartphones? SMS and voice platforms? Here’s an overview of what is possible and seems necessary. Continue reading
More then 239.000 extra mental health workers are needed in the South and only 54,5% of the low income countries have psychiatric training facilities! How to fill this gap?
In this article possible eLearning applications in 4 mental health capacity areas in low income countries are investigated. With figures, examples and links the current state of art will be presented. A conclusion will be given (‘Yes, it can’) as well as recommendations for the future.
Discussions, comments and additions are very welcome! Continue reading
Most people with mental disorders in low income countries receive no treatment at all for their mental illnesses. The new technologies, like the internet and mobile devices, can solve part of this so called treatment gap. In ’10 good reasons’ the benefits of ICT in this global health field are clarified. 1: ICT is booming business, 2: Saving costs, 3: Reaching people, 4: Anticipating on globalization, 5: Raising awareness and fighting stigma, 6: Empowerment and independence, 7: Capacity building, 8: Global knowledge sharing, 9: Bottom up and demand driven, 10: Standardized and easy access of info. Continue reading
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