Why Global Psychiatry?

The need for improved access and availability of appropriate mental health services for all people suffering from mental illness is a global public health priority – both in the developed and developing world. Whether we are considering providing mental health care to persons from resource poor settings and marginalized populations here in Canada or abroad, the need for innovative approaches to care that is patient centered and family/community focused is universal. The Global Psychiatry section is committed to building partnerships representing diverse knowledge sources to explore common global mental health challenges and to develop innovative solutions.

Background of the Global Psychiatry Section

The Global Psychiatry section was founded in 2003 and has established strong ties to countries in the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa. Its work is focused on health system strengthening through policy development, legislation, and competency-based training for health workers across the health sector.

Through the Global Psychiatry section, the faculty of the Department of Psychiatry work closely with the Global Health Office and members of the wider Dalhousie community and the Department of Health on projects here in Nova Scotia, across Canada, and internationally. The faculty members in the section and their network of partners possess a wide array of mental health expertise in policy and legislation, health education, psychopharmacology, health leadership, health systems administration, community based mental health models, and forensics.

The section also maintains a World Health Organization (WHO) designation as a Collaborating Centre in Mental Health Policy Development and Training which gives our faculty and residents the opportunity to participate in WHO and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) global mental health initiatives.

Resident Elective

Residents will have the opportunity to participate in a diverse array of activities encompassing research, education, and frontline clinical care.

Three month research and clinical elective experiences in global psychiatry are currently available in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and other partner countries.

For more information on the Resident Elective, please view the factsheet below and feel free to contact us for more information about elective opportunities.

Fellowship

The Global Psychiatry Section offers an international fellowship opportunity that involves policy and training work in the developing world and clinical consultation regarding cultural issues to psychiatric service in Nova Scotia.

The fellow will be expected to publish at least one paper and participate in various training programs and educational materials development.

For more information on the Global Psychiatry Fellowship, please view the fact sheet below and feel free to contact us for more information about fellowship opportunities.