IV ISA Forum of Sociology (February 23-28, 2021)

613

The Sociology of Global Mental Health

Abstract Submissions Closed

RC49 Mental Health and Illness (host committee)

Language: English

Session Type: Oral

There is a growing global mental health movement which seeks to improve mental health services in low- and middle-income countries. Efforts have been made to globalize mental health policies so that the needs of people living in diverse socio-economic and cultural environments can be supported. Advocates of the movement argue that there is ‘no health without mental health’ and that access to mental health services should be viewed as a human right. Critics have argued that global mental health initiatives signal the psychiatrization of the majority world and have questioned whether access to western psychiatric treatments should be promoted.

This session welcomes theoretical papers exploring these debates. Papers might also address how mental health is conceptualised by those with mental health problems in low and middle-income countries, their families and wider society. Papers might also focus on how mental health systems are organised and received internationally.