Getting Real: How Intersectionality Challenges the 'One Size Fits All' Approach to Global Mental Health

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Mental Health Research
• Social Epidemiology

Background:

• Addressing global mental health challenges necessitates understanding diverse social contexts.
• Social exclusion and vulnerability significantly impact mental well-being worldwide.
• Existing approaches often fail to account for intersecting forms of disadvantage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for an intersectional perspective in global mental health initiatives.
• To demonstrate the utility of an intersectional approach through country-specific examples.
• To propose a paradigm shift for international health organizations and governments.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of case studies from purposefully selected countries.
• Application of an intersectional framework to analyze mental health determinants.
• Literature review on social exclusion, vulnerability, and global mental health.

Main Results:

• An intersectional approach reveals the complexity of mental health needs across different populations.
• Country-specific examples illustrate the limitations of universal, non-contextualized interventions.
• The 'one size fits all' model is inadequate for achieving universal mental health.

Conclusions:

• A nuanced, intersectional perspective is crucial for inclusive and effective global mental health strategies.
• International organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations (UN) must adopt targeted, context-specific solutions.
• Rethinking global mental health policy is vital for addressing social inequalities and improving mental well-being.