Presentation Information
[SY-69]Global Mental Health in a Polarized World: Building Bridges, Sharing Solutions.
Itsuo Asai1, Muhammad Irfan2,5, Azaad Kassam3, Kenneth Fung4 (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))
Keywords:
Global Health,Mental Health,Mental Health Services,Health Status Disparities,Cultural Competency
Global mental health continues to face substantial structural and cultural challenges. This symposium convenes five international experts to discuss how inclusive, sustainable, and context-aware approaches—culturally and geopolitically—can advance mental health equity worldwide.
Prof. Muhammad Irfan (Pakistan) begins by pointing out key barriers 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-empowered approaches to build sustainable care systems.
Dr. Yonas Bahertibeb(Ethiopia) notes that mental health services are often fragmented, with traditional healing practices and biomedical systems functioning separately. Using Ethiopia as an example, he underscores missed opportunities for integration and highlights the urgent need for culturally grounded collaboration.
Dr. Azaad Kassam (Canada) shares a case study from the Ismaili faith community, which spans 22 countries. Through collaboration with the Aga Khan University Brain and Mind Institute, a global mental health course was developed to support culturally diverse professionals. His presentation emphasizes the importance of pluralism, cultural safety, and capacity-building as essential components for creating resilient systems.
Dr. Ruta Karaliuniene (Germany) discusses disaster situations—such as conflicts, natural disasters, and pandemics—in resource-limited areas, where psychiatrists play crucial roles in trauma response and ongoing psychosocial recovery. Her insights highlight the ethical and structural challenges encountered during crises.
Prof. Kenneth Fung (Canada) offers a critical view from cultural psychiatry, warning against blindly applying 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 strategies.
Together, these presentations outline a global framework for advancing equitable mental health by emphasizing cultural humility, community engagement, and mutual knowledge exchange.
Prof. Muhammad Irfan (Pakistan) begins by pointing out key barriers 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-empowered approaches to build sustainable care systems.
Dr. Yonas Bahertibeb(Ethiopia) notes that mental health services are often fragmented, with traditional healing practices and biomedical systems functioning separately. Using Ethiopia as an example, he underscores missed opportunities for integration and highlights the urgent need for culturally grounded collaboration.
Dr. Azaad Kassam (Canada) shares a case study from the Ismaili faith community, which spans 22 countries. Through collaboration with the Aga Khan University Brain and Mind Institute, a global mental health course was developed to support culturally diverse professionals. His presentation emphasizes the importance of pluralism, cultural safety, and capacity-building as essential components for creating resilient systems.
Dr. Ruta Karaliuniene (Germany) discusses disaster situations—such as conflicts, natural disasters, and pandemics—in resource-limited areas, where psychiatrists play crucial roles in trauma response and ongoing psychosocial recovery. Her insights highlight the ethical and structural challenges encountered during crises.
Prof. Kenneth Fung (Canada) offers a critical view from cultural psychiatry, warning against blindly applying 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 strategies.
Together, these presentations outline a global framework for advancing equitable mental health by emphasizing cultural humility, community engagement, and mutual knowledge exchange.