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The Palgrave Handbook of Sociocultural Perspectives on Global Mental Health pp 211–235Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Community Mental Health Competencies: A New Vision for Global Mental Health

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Abstract

As part of the Movement for Global Mental Health’s efforts to scale up services, attention has shifted to the level of communities, with community engagement recognised as a key locus of action to promote treatment and rehabilitation. Communities have long been viewed as key mediators in the management of health. However, the multifarious nature of what we mean by the term ‘community’ makes the promotion of mental health through action at this level a process that is endlessly complex and demands further exploration. This chapter aims to elaborate on the validity of community mental health competency (Campbell and Burgess 2012) as a conceptual framework to guide community engagement for global mental health practice. The chapter draws on case studies from two different settings each pointing to the value of various dimensions highlighted by the approach. The studies highlight that through a focus on promoting constructive partnerships, critical dialogue, valuing local knowledge, and promoting safe spaces, mental health services can be brought in line with the varied local realities that shape communities around the world.

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Acknowledgements

KRM: Thanks to the mental health volunteers, peer educators, and community members of Sadoli-Kadim for starting on this shared journey. Raj Kamal and SHIFA team Bharosa, Rajeev, Nitay, Janaki, Sandra, and Vimala spearheaded implementation and participated in many discussions generating these learnings. Somesh Pratap Singh, Robert Kumar, Jubin Varghese, and Raja Paulraj and broad support of the Emmanuel Hospital Association also contributed to reflections in this case study.

RAB: To the traditional healers who contributed their time and commitment to the study, in hope for better services for their communities: my deepest and most heartfelt thanks. Special thanks to the editors of the volume for their patience with the production of this chapter, and finally, to my partner EJR for his patience, kindness, and support with editing the work of an often verbose academic.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre of Primary Health and Social Care, London Metropolitan University, London, UK

    Rochelle Burgess

  2. Health, Community and Development Research Group, London School of Economics, London, UK

    Rochelle Burgess

  3. Emmanuel Hospital Association, New Delhi, India

    Kaaren Mathias

  4. Centre for Epidemiology and Global Health, University of Umeå, Umeå, Sweden

    Kaaren Mathias

Authors
  1. Rochelle Burgess
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  2. Kaaren Mathias
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Psychology, Health and Society University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom

    Ross G. White

  2. School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

    Sumeet Jain

  3. Department of Social Work and Social Care, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom

    David M.R. Orr

  4. CERMES3, Paris, France

    Ursula M. Read

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Burgess, R., Mathias, K. (2017). Community Mental Health Competencies: A New Vision for Global Mental Health. In: White, R., Jain, S., Orr, D., Read, U. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Sociocultural Perspectives on Global Mental Health. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-39510-8_11

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