Handbook of Global Mental Health

Overview This book provides a high-level perspective on global mental health and various significant aspects of it over the course of 9 chapters. The beginning of this book provides an overview of the importance of happiness, depression, mental health, mindfulness, etc. for global health. It also discusses inadequacies that currently exist in mental health treatment. The next section reviews various treatments and background information on mental health worldwide, including topics such as mental health stigma, mental health literacy, mental health first aid, and evidence-based therapy. The third chapter reviews aspects of mental health, treatment, and happiness in Latin America. It reviews particular aspects of Latin America regarding mental health such as the importance of crime victimization, Latin American happiness, underrepresented Latin American groups, and the Latin American Paradox of happiness and well-being. The fourth chapter reviews variations in mental illness and treatment in Europe with concepts such as Nordic Exceptionalism, issues of European late-life depression, the treatment gap, and the European Mental Health Action Plan. It provides case studies of areas such as Italy, Great Britain, and the Nordic countries regarding mental health. Chapter 5 is an overview of sub-Saharan Africa's mental health concerns and covers topics such as 'Sub-Saharan African Optimism,' 'The Happiness Deficit,' and resilience. Research on lived poverty and happiness is explored, as well as specific issues such as the age gap in leadership, unemployment, and rapid population growth. Other important topics such as the increase in mental illness, access to mental health treatment, protective factors, and changes in sub-Saharan African mental health are also explored. Chapter 6 reviews mental health and happiness in Asia. Specific aspects such as positive strengths of mental health in Asia like supportive families, rituals, and natural disaster responses are explored. Case study examples of China and Bhutan are investigated, as well as innovative interventions in the context of mental health, like mobile health and microfinance. Chapter 7 looks at mental health in the United States and unique aspects of happiness, and unhappiness in the United States. Important concerns such as the United States' mental health treatment, the impact of COVID, and immigrant inequality are also explored. Chapter 8 reviews the impacts of the global mental health treatment gap, and assesses treatment gaps in Europe, the United States, and Africa. It also reviews factors that create, maintain, or grow the issue of inadequate treatment. Lastly, Chapter 9 discusses the future of mental health treatment. It looks at the progress of mental health treatment as well as effective interventions.