Shifting landscapes of global child mental health: Imperatives for transdisciplinary approaches

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Sheila Ramaswamy1, Shekhar Seshadri2, Joske Bunders-Aelen3

  • 1SAMVAD (Support, Advocacy & Mental Health Interventions for Children in Vulnerable circumstances and Distress), Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences, India.

Asian Journal of Psychiatry
|January 6, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Child mental healthcare in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) needs reform. Recognizing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and adopting transdisciplinary approaches are crucial for improving child protection and mental health outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Public Health
  • Social Work

Background:

  • Current child mental healthcare models in LMICs inadequately address complex protection and mental health needs.
  • Multiple stakeholders are involved in child welfare, education, and mental health services.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the limitations of existing medical and public health approaches to child mental healthcare in LMICs.
  • To advocate for a paradigm shift in addressing children's psychosocial and mental health issues.
  • To emphasize the importance of recognizing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in mental health morbidity.

Main Methods:

  • The article presents a critical analysis of current child mental healthcare models.
  • It argues for the adoption of a transdisciplinary approach.
  • Systemic reform and transformation are proposed as key strategies.

Main Results:

  • Existing models fail to adequately integrate child protection and mental health care.
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) significantly contribute to mental health problems in children.
  • A transdisciplinary approach is essential for effective intervention.

Conclusions:

  • Mental health professionals must acknowledge the impact of ACEs on child mental health.
  • Transdisciplinarity offers a more effective framework for addressing children's complex psychosocial needs.
  • Systemic changes are required to improve child mental healthcare in LMICs.

Keywords:
Adverse childhood experiencesChild protectionGlobal child and adolescent mental healthTransdisciplinary approaches

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