Supporting strong families and capable communities through cross-national research

Abstract

Back Background ground Mental and behavioral ill-health are growing global problems and while there are promising evidence-based approaches aimed at reducing their impact, availability of services varies greatly, not only across nations, but also between urban, regional, and remote locations. Rural areas face accessibility and acceptability challenges related to mental health services that are similar to barriers experienced in developing countries. Initiatives to address mental health challenges in under-served rural areas can inform global mental health strategies. Methods Methods Using a public health approach, we illustrate how innovations in rural communities build community capacity and capability in areas that are currently, and are likely to remain, under-served by specialist mental health services. We provide examples of initiatives and key principles of action from three locations in Nebraska, United States of American and New South Wales, Australia to highlight similarities of context and practice. R Results esults While each of the initiatives was developed independently, there are striking similarities across them. Similarities in initiatives include: a) recognition that solutions developed in urban settings are not necessarily the most effective in under-served rural areas, b) engagement of community members is needed to ensure acceptance of initiatives in target communities, c) each initiative involved community members acting on their own behalf with an emphasis on prevention and early intervention, and d) research is a key aspect that informs practice and has local relevance. Commonalities of contexts and environments may have played an important role in the similarities. C Conclusions onclusions Linking initiatives within and between countries can expand local, national, and global reach and impacts. If we are to meet lofty global goals related to health and wellbeing, cross-national collaborations are needed to share resources, expand expertise, and stimulate ideas necessary to develop and enhance local and global initiatives. High-income country partnerships addressing mental health in under-served areas, such as rural communities, can play a vital role in contributing to global mental health solutions. GLOBAL CHALLENGES OF MENTAL HEALTH Poor mental health is a global concern. Mental ill-health is the leading cause of disability worldwide, accounting for 175.3 million Years Lost to Disability (YLD). 1 Depression accounts for more YLDs worldwide than any other single condition in any disease category. 1 Mental health conditions alone are less likely than other conditions to result in premature death. However, when years of life lost to premature death are combined with years lost due to disability (referred to as Disability-Adjusted Life Years or DALYs), mental health conditions rank fifth worldwide in DALYs among all disease categories, accounting for 7.4% of the total disease burden. Mental health ranks behind cardiovas

Collaborative Care at a Distance: Student Therapists' Experiences of Learning and Delivering Relationally Focused Telemental Health

“…The effectiveness of telemental health has national and global implications to improve the mental health of individuals and families (Bischoff et al, 2017; Taylor et al, 2018). More research is needed to identify best practice strategies and the unique characteristics of this treatment modality.…”

“…Globally, rural areas are prime destinations for telemental health because of the high level of need, remote locations, lack of access to mental health‐care providers, and opportunities for addressing stigma‐related challenges (Bischoff, Springer & Taylor, 2017; Taylor et al, 2018). However, we have found that telemental health is an appropriate treatment modality for other circumstances where there are barriers to meeting with clients face‐to‐face.…”