Presentation Information
[SY-69]Global Mental Health in a Polarized World: Building Bridges, Sharing Solutions.
Itsuo Asai1, Muhammad Irfan2,5, Kenneth Fung4, Azaad Kassam3, Yonas Baheretibeb7, Samuel Okpaku6 (1. Heart Clinic Medical Corporation (Japan), 2. Peshawar Medical College (Pakistan), 3. University of Ottawa (Canada), 4. University of Toronto (Canada), 5. President-Elect, World Association of Cultural Psychiatry (Pakistan), 6. the Center for Health, Culture, & Society (United States of America), 7. Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia))
Keywords:
Global Health,Mental Health,Mental Health Services,Health Status Disparities,Cultural Competency
Abstract:
Global mental health continues to face major structural and cultural gaps. This symposium features five international experts who discuss how inclusive, sustainable, and context-aware approaches—both culturally and geopolitically—can promote mental health equity worldwide.
Prof. Muhammad Irfan (Pakistan) begins by pointing out the main challenges to achieving mental health equity, such as access gaps, stigma, and systemic inequalities in low- and middle-income countries. He stresses the importance of culturally rooted and community-driven strategies to build sustainable care systems.
Dr. Yonas Baheretibeb (Ethiopia) explains that mental health services are often separate, with traditional healing practices and biomedical systems functioning independently. Using Ethiopia as an example, he highlights missed opportunities for integration and emphasizes the urgent need for culturally grounded collaboration.
Dr. Azaad Kassam (Canada) shares a case study from the Ismaili faith community, which spans 22 countries. In collaboration with the Aga Khan University Brain and Mind Institute, he describes the development of a global mental health course designed to support culturally diverse professionals. His presentation emphasizes the importance of pluralism, cultural safety, and capacity-building as essential for resilient systems.
Prof. Kenneth Fung (Canada) offers a critical view from cultural psychiatry, warning against blindly adopting Western models. He advocates for ‘reverse innovation” by learning from practices in low-resource settings—such as task-sharing, storytelling, and arts-based care—and encourages mutual, two-way learning to develop culturally relevant global mental health solutions.
Prof. Samuel Okpaku (USA) draws on decades of leadership in global mental health research and practice. He reflects on ethical and humanitarian aspects, highlighting how mental health systems can be strengthened through capacity-building, human rights protections, and cross-sector collaboration. His contribution underscores both policy innovations and the importance of values-based practice in bridging gaps in a polarized world.
Together, these presentations outline a global framework for equitable mental health, emphasizing cultural humility, community participation, and mutual knowledge sharing.
Global mental health continues to face major structural and cultural gaps. This symposium features five international experts who discuss how inclusive, sustainable, and context-aware approaches—both culturally and geopolitically—can promote mental health equity worldwide.
Prof. Muhammad Irfan (Pakistan) begins by pointing out the main challenges to achieving mental health equity, such as access gaps, stigma, and systemic inequalities in low- and middle-income countries. He stresses the importance of culturally rooted and community-driven strategies to build sustainable care systems.
Dr. Yonas Baheretibeb (Ethiopia) explains that mental health services are often separate, with traditional healing practices and biomedical systems functioning independently. Using Ethiopia as an example, he highlights missed opportunities for integration and emphasizes the urgent need for culturally grounded collaboration.
Dr. Azaad Kassam (Canada) shares a case study from the Ismaili faith community, which spans 22 countries. In collaboration with the Aga Khan University Brain and Mind Institute, he describes the development of a global mental health course designed to support culturally diverse professionals. His presentation emphasizes the importance of pluralism, cultural safety, and capacity-building as essential for resilient systems.
Prof. Kenneth Fung (Canada) offers a critical view from cultural psychiatry, warning against blindly adopting Western models. He advocates for ‘reverse innovation” by learning from practices in low-resource settings—such as task-sharing, storytelling, and arts-based care—and encourages mutual, two-way learning to develop culturally relevant global mental health solutions.
Prof. Samuel Okpaku (USA) draws on decades of leadership in global mental health research and practice. He reflects on ethical and humanitarian aspects, highlighting how mental health systems can be strengthened through capacity-building, human rights protections, and cross-sector collaboration. His contribution underscores both policy innovations and the importance of values-based practice in bridging gaps in a polarized world.
Together, these presentations outline a global framework for equitable mental health, emphasizing cultural humility, community participation, and mutual knowledge sharing.