Page 193 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 8

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psychosocial support in humanitarian settings Opportunities for MHPs
(IASC 2015, O’Donnell and Lewis O’Donnell, GI-MH and GMH are especially pertinent for
2016b, United Nations, 2016). These areas are the major multi-sectoral efforts promoting well
full of opportunities for MHP involvement, in- being for all people and the planet. A primary
cluding colleagues in the faith-based sector. We example would be Transforming Our World:
describe GI-MH as: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
(United Nations, 2015). Foremost on this Agen-
an emerging domain with roots in the integra- da is Goal 1, the commitment to eradicate po-
tion of mental health and theology, in which verty in all of its forms. This first goal is followed
colleagues actively seek ways to connect and by 16 other ambitious and overlapping goals,
contribute as “forces for good” who skillful- including equitable access to quality and af-
ly address the challenges facing humanity. It
involves practitioners with character, compe- fordable physical and mental health care (a core
tence, and compassion who caravan together part of Goal 3). With an estimated 450 million
into GI, crossing cultures and countries, disci- people experiencing a mental, neurological, or
plines and sectors, time zones and comfort zo- substance use condition, the vast majority who
nes in order to stretch our thinking, practice, receive little or no effective care, especially in
and impact on the world. It is mental health low-resource countries (World Health Organi-
AS mission. (O’Donnell, 2011). zation, 2013), we believe it is important for the
mental health profession to review its training
We define GMH as: emphases, strategic roles, organizational prio-
rities, ethical responsibilities and above all op-
an international, interdisciplinary, cultu- portunities to help make a difference in the gla-
rally-sensitive, and multi-sectoral domain ring mental health needs worldwide. The same
which promotes human well being, the right
to health, and equity in health for all. It en- is true for individual MHPs as well as mental
courages healthy behaviours and lifestyles; is health-related organizations. See the examples
committed to preventing and treating men- of organizations, projects, forums, and resour-
tal, neurological, and substance use conditi- ces on the Mental Health Innovation Network
ons (MNS); and seeks to improve policies and and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
programs, professional practices and research, Network websites.
advocacy and awareness, and social and envi-
ronmental factors that affect health and well
being. (based on O’Donnell 2012).

Further information. To review some founda-
tional thinking about GI, see the 10 entries on
the CORE Member Care weblog (O’Donnell,
2011). These entries include applications for
mental health (i.e. mental health as mission)
and member care (i.e. the wellbeing and effec-
tiveness of mission/aid personnel). For further
information on Global Integrators, see “Making
Your Mark in Our Troubled World” (O’Donnell
and Lewis O’Donnell, 2016a) and the 25 diver-
se weblog entries on the subject (O’Donnell, Another important document to help in-
2015a). For some core materials on GMH, see form and guide MHPs is the World Health
our GMH-Map website and our recent artic- Organization’s Mental Health Action Plan 2013-
le “Global Mental Health: Tracking and Trek- 2020 (World Health Organization, 2013). The
king Across Sectors” (O’Donnell and Lewis Action Plan’s overall goal is to “promote mental
O’Donnell, 2015b). well-being, prevent mental disorders, provide

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