The Essentials of Global Mental Health

Abstract

Reviews the book, The Essentials of Global Mental Health edited by Samuel O. Okpaku (2014). The Essentials of Global Mental Health, edited by Samuel Okpaku, is an admirable book. It takes a broad, multicultural perspective, informed by a rich appreciation for social psychiatry. In this text, Okpaku has gathered together many of the leaders in global mental health practice and theory, who have presented their ideas in 44 chapters organized in 8 sections. The book reflects their erudition. In addition to expected sections on the history and background of global mental health, service development, human resources, and research, there are less-expected, engaging sections on advocacy, gender, and a wide range of special populations. There is also a much-welcomed section on depression, suicide, and violence-perhaps the leading challenges for global mental health. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)