Global Mental Health

Mental Health is finally being recognized as a global health priority. In 2013, the World Health Assembly created a Mental Health Action Plan and in 2015, mental health was added to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. These acts were borne out of the dire need for improved strategies regarding mental health promotion and mental illness prevention. In many parts of the world, especially in low- and middle- income countries, people who suffer from mental disorders are severely underserved and are more vulnerable to physical and psychological abuse. The Global Mental Health focus area of the CIH^LMU was established in an attempt to improve global mental health by encouraging education and dialogue between developed and developing countries. It stands firmly behind the notion that “there is no health without mental health”.

Echoing this principle, the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) has been involved in a range of activities in Ethiopia and in particular, has established a close partnership with Jimma University (JU).

A WHO Report from 2006 noted that Ethiopia has about 86 million people and yet only about 50 psychiatrists. Ethiopia responded to this dire shortage by increasing funding and resources for Mental Health activities, although there is still much work to be done. In an attempt to support this mission, in 2009, JU with the support of CIH^LMU , established a two-year Master’s program (MSc) in Integrated Clinical and Community Mental Health. Beyond this, the department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy has developed annual network gatherings across Ethiopia, which bring together local and international health care workers so that they can discuss challenges and exchange ideas.

CIH^LMU also engages the international community on issues related to global mental health. This involves annually organizing the renowned International Symposium on Global Mental Health in Developing Countries, which takes place in Munich since 2008. It also supports research in the field. Moving forward, CIH^LMU will continue to work diligently to strengthen ties between countries of all incomes and will work tirelessly to highlight the importance of thoughtful, sustainable and effective strategies in the field of global mental health.