The Challenges and Opportunities for Global Mental Health

In this chapter, we reviewed some definitions of globalization, global health, and global mental health. A historical background of Global Mental Health is then provided. Important milestones in the history of global health and global mental health are identified. These include the 1978 Alma Ata Declaration, the 1990 Caracas Declaration, the Millennium Development Summit, the World Conference on Social Determinants of Health, and the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. A typology of the various international arrangements that participate in global health and global mental health is outlined. The burden and type of disease worldwide was discussed. Treatment gaps and deficits in human capacity research performance, productivity, and publications reduce the treatment gaps and the contribution of major donors, as well as the impact of some major international initiatives is discussed. Lastly, some mention is made of the current COVID-19 pandemic, and post COVID-19 predictions are attempted.