Mental Health Across the Globe: Learning Locally to Impact Families Globally

Abstract

Thank you for your interest in this special issue that marks a new facet of inquiry for Families in Society, one which highlights how globally connected we are. Mental health is a human issue that affects individuals and families in every culture and society across the world. In recent years, mental health has worsened with the COVID-19 pandemic adding further stress and burden to individuals with mental illness and their families. Our goal in this international special issue is to spotlight mental health care in countries other than the United States. In addition, we recognize the essential importance of providing space for culturally sanctioned approaches that work with families wherever they live. While the approach, skills, and practice may vary by country or region, mental health providers (e.g., social workers, psychiatrists, human service workers, peer-to-peer supports, indigenous healers, physicians, nurses, psychologists, etc.) similarly provide mental health assessment, services, and treatment to vulnerable and underserved populations experiencing and managing mental health conditions. Through sharing these approaches, we can reconceptualize how we provide services to families experiencing challenges in many different communities and cultures. Although we recognize that familial traditions vary within and across countries, families always play a central role in the trajectory of family members dealing with mental health issues. Family involvement in mental health care matters. For this special issue, we actively sought articles and research centering on global mental health through innovative local treatment, services, interventions, recovery, and perspectives. Our goal was to highlight best or evidence-informed practices from around the world that are assisting those with mental health issues or their caregivers, or showcase how organizations are providing important services that are often underresourced. Through the pandemic, we all have experienced how 1150668 FISXXX10.1177/10443894221150668Families in SocietyGearing et al. research-article2023