Applying systems theory to global mental health
In recent years the evidence base for psychological interventions in low- and -middle-income countries (LMIC) has rapidly accrued, demonstrating that task-shifting models result in desired outcomes. Next, it is important to look at how this evidence translates into practice. In doing so, this paper...
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| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S205442512400147X/type/journal_article |
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| author | Mark J. D. Jordans |
| author_facet | Mark J. D. Jordans |
| author_sort | Mark J. D. Jordans |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In recent years the evidence base for psychological interventions in low- and -middle-income countries (LMIC) has rapidly accrued, demonstrating that task-shifting models result in desired outcomes. Next, it is important to look at how this evidence translates into practice. In doing so, this paper argues that the field of global mental health might benefit from applying a system theory or system science perspective. Systems thinking aims to understand how different components are connected and interdependent within a larger emergent entity. At present much of the research efforts into psychological interventions in LMIC are focusing on single interventions, with little focus on how these interventions sit in, or influence, a larger system. Adopting systems theory and system dynamics tools can help in; (i) better analyzing and understanding the key drivers of mental health problems and services, (ii) optimizing mental health services; and (iii) understanding the organization of people, institutions and resources required for rolling out and scaling-up mental health services. This paper reflects on some of these merits of a systems perspective, as well as provides some examples. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-78217cab754644709f33471ceea665b9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2054-4251 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-78217cab754644709f33471ceea665b92025-02-05T12:58:32ZengCambridge University PressCambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health2054-42512025-01-011210.1017/gmh.2024.147Applying systems theory to global mental healthMark J. D. Jordans0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5925-8039Amsterdam Institute of Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands Center for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK Research and Development Department, War Child Alliance, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsIn recent years the evidence base for psychological interventions in low- and -middle-income countries (LMIC) has rapidly accrued, demonstrating that task-shifting models result in desired outcomes. Next, it is important to look at how this evidence translates into practice. In doing so, this paper argues that the field of global mental health might benefit from applying a system theory or system science perspective. Systems thinking aims to understand how different components are connected and interdependent within a larger emergent entity. At present much of the research efforts into psychological interventions in LMIC are focusing on single interventions, with little focus on how these interventions sit in, or influence, a larger system. Adopting systems theory and system dynamics tools can help in; (i) better analyzing and understanding the key drivers of mental health problems and services, (ii) optimizing mental health services; and (iii) understanding the organization of people, institutions and resources required for rolling out and scaling-up mental health services. This paper reflects on some of these merits of a systems perspective, as well as provides some examples.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S205442512400147X/type/journal_articleglobal mental healthsystem sciencesystem theorylow- and middle-income countries |
| spellingShingle | Mark J. D. Jordans Applying systems theory to global mental health Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health global mental health system science system theory low- and middle-income countries |
| title | Applying systems theory to global mental health |
| title_full | Applying systems theory to global mental health |
| title_fullStr | Applying systems theory to global mental health |
| title_full_unstemmed | Applying systems theory to global mental health |
| title_short | Applying systems theory to global mental health |
| title_sort | applying systems theory to global mental health |
| topic | global mental health system science system theory low- and middle-income countries |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S205442512400147X/type/journal_article |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT markjdjordans applyingsystemstheorytoglobalmentalhealth |