Applying systems theory to global mental health
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 7148901 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mark J D Jordans (0000-0001-5925-8039, King's College London, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 12 |
| Pages | e2-e2 |
| Publication date | 2025-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2054-4251 • E-ISSN: 2054-4251 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/gmh.2024.147 |
| PMID | 39935727 |
| OpenAlex | W4405649460 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 35 |
In recent years the evidence base for psychological interventions in low- and -middle-income countries (LMIC) has rapidly accrued, demonstrating that task-shifting models result in desired outcomes. Next, it is important to look at how this evidence translates into practice. In doing so, this paper argues that the field of global mental health might benefit from applying a system theory or system science perspective. Systems thinking aims to understand how different components are connected and interdependent within a larger emergent entity. At present much of the research efforts into psychological interventions in LMIC are focusing on single interventions, with little focus on how these interventions sit in, or influence, a larger system. Adopting systems theory and system dynamics tools can help in; (i) better analyzing and understanding the key drivers of mental health problems and services, (ii) optimizing mental health services; and (iii) understanding the organization of people, institutions and resources required for rolling out and scaling-up mental health services. This paper reflects on some of these merits of a systems perspective, as well as provides some examples
Global mental health · Mental health · Psychotherapist · Community Health and Development · Complex Systems and Decision Making · Mental Health Research Topics · Psychology
Psychological Treatments for the World
The application of systems thinking in health
Undertreatment of people with major depressive disorder in 21 countries
Global burden of disease attributable to mental and substance use disorders
Systems science and systems thinking for public health
The Lancet Commission on global mental health and sustainable development
Scaling up antiretroviral therapy in Uganda
Community based system dynamic as an approach for understanding and acting on messy problems
Understanding global health governance as a complex adaptive system
Systems change for the social determinants of health
Systems thinking for strengthening health systems in LMICs
Understanding pathways for scaling up health services through the lens of complex adaptive systems
Applying systems theory to global mental health
Structural competency
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |