Global mental health is a field within public health that is focused on how mental health is experienced and organized across the world's populations. A common misunderstanding is in equating "global" with "international".  International centers the nation as the frame of reference; however, the forces that shape and inform health care (including culture, economics, and even politics) are not confined by national borders. Furthermore, many researchers, activists, and clinicians (especially from the U.S.) often think global health requires travel outside of their home countries. The field of global health is interested in how people and information flows across global communities including inside and outside the U.S. Much may be learned in the U.S. by innovative practices to delivering mental health care in under resources areas throughout the world.

 

Our lab is focused on global mental health with respect to Muslim communities, both within and outside of the U.S.. We are interested in the ways culture, religion, and spirituality informs how Muslims understand, express, and manage emotional distress as well as neuropsychiatric conditions. As an example, many people experience and understand epilepsy as being caused by black magic, evil eye ('ayn), and/or jinn possession. Their conceptual framework of disease will inform who they seek help from and how they manage their condition, which may not be mutually exclusive. Some Muslims may seek guidance from the Quran, traditional healers, and religious authorities as well as seek care from physicians.