Barriers to Health Care for Mental Illness in Poor Countries

Mental health in low income countries has received little attention in development assistance and research over the years. Mental illness affects all levels of society (individual, family, neighborhood, and national levels) and must, especially in poor countries, be addressed in order to reduce poverty, and to improve equity and human rights. ASF Visiting Lecturer Lena Andersson, University of Gothenburg, will present an ongoing research project in South Africa as the basis of her talk on bettering health care for people with mental illnesses in poor countries through the promotion of the right to health and better understanding of help-seeking behaviors.