What are the critiques of global mental health?

Critiques of global mental health often center around issues of cultural insensitivity, western bias, and the imposition of western ideologies onto non-western societies. Critics argue that mental health interventions developed in the global north may not be suitable or effective in diverse cultural contexts, and that they fail to take into account local knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding mental health. Additionally, some argue that global mental health initiatives prioritize biomedical approaches over social determinants of mental health, such as poverty, discrimination, and trauma. Critics also raise concerns about power dynamics in global mental health interventions, noting that they are often driven by high-income countries and international organizations, sidelining the voices and needs of communities in low- and middle-income countries.

This mind map was published on 28 May 2024 and has been viewed 62 times.