IHTM’s ‘Wicked Problem Days’ (WPDs) provide an opportunity to explore some of the major challenges in global health through problem-based learning and expert input. Mental Health was the topic for the first of three WPDs this year, with AMR and Pandemic Preparedness to follow.
According to the GBD 2019, mental health disorders remain among the top ten leading causes of disease burden worldwide, with no evidence of reduction since 1990. The mental health WPD provided the opportunity for students to critically engage with mental health as a continuum, its contributing factors and contextualised and people-centred solutions.
Speaking about the WPD, IHTM student Fona Qorina said,
Today’s WPD was incredibly enlightening, I gained valuable insights into the importance of viewing mental health through a more inclusive lens, taking sociocultural contexts and a life course approach into account. I also learned a lot about communicating our research through visual arts such as movies. As an Indonesian, I am happy and proud that one of the speakers brought lessons learned from her research in Indonesia."
The day began with a brief introduction to the lecturers. Dr Caesar Atuire and Dr Carine Asnong from IHTM were joined by international and UK experts: Dr Ursula Read, Dr Lily Kpobi, Dr Francois Van Loggerenberg (online) and Prof Erminia Colucci. Introductions were followed by a series of presentations from the students with each group tackling a different set of questions on the following topics:
- Life course considerations in factors contributing to mental health
- Health systems and mental health in Ghana
- Mental healthcare and contextual belief systems in Indonesia
- Potential consequences and broader implications of unmanaged/poorly managed mental health across the socio-ecological framework in Colombia
The presentations provoked questions and engaging discussion. The rest of the day saw the visiting experts highlight a range of topics, drawing on their research and work experience. These topics included: A critical introduction to global mental health, Global mental health in practice: insights from Ghana and Indonesia, A life course perspective on mental health, and Young people’s mental health and wellbeing in Colombia.
The informative WPD concluded with a panel discussion and summing up from Dr Caesar Atuire.
