Tanzanian rural psychological services: Opportunities and challenges.

Abstract

The purpose of this article is twofold, first to explore the opportunities and challenges of providing psychological services within rural Tanzania, and second to highlight the numerous opportunities for Western-based psychologists who are interested in parlaying their education and training into supporting global rural psychological issues, in countries such as Tanzania. After providing an overview of the status of the current Tanzanian mental health care system, we describe a number of initiatives adopted within Tanzania that are aimed to increase access to rural mental health services, including collaborative practice and information and communication technology use. Approaching the topic from an opportunities and challenges perspective, we explore other innovative strategies wherein psychological knowledge and practices can improve the lives of Tanzanians. Finally, we share how advocacy remains an important aspect of this integration of psychological science, not only among Tanzanian psychologists but through international connections and partnerships.

Misunderstood and underappreciated: a critical review of mental health advocacy and activism in low- and middle-income countries

“…Of course, health systems need to be understood in relation to the broader, distal context within which they are situated. For example, Kimangale et al . (2021) note the importance of historical context in order to understand care provision today, as coloniality remains pervasive.…”