Mental Health in Developing Countries

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how mental health problems are not the sole purview of developed nations, of course, nor are they any different in terms of causation or their general responsiveness to modern therapeutic techniques. In some cases, though, longstanding perceptions the efficacy of traditional healing methods and the actual causes of mental illness may adversely affect the ability of such modern healthcare services to effect substantive improvements in the mentally ill. To help understand what factors are involved in delivering effective mental health services to the citizens of developing nations in general and Nigeria in particular, this paper provides a review of the peer-reviewed and scholarly literature to this end, followed by a summary of the research and important findings in the conclusion.

Outline
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Background and Overview.
Rationale of the Study.
Methodology
Mental Illness in Nigeria and Other Developing Countries
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"From the perspective of a majority of modern Nigerians, mental illness continues to be primarily equated with severe psychoses; these popular concepts of mental health problems are founded in large part on the idea that mental illness is the result of supernatural forces, notions that are firmly established even among educated Nigerians (Kemp, 1993). In recent years, though, there are indications that this is changing to some extent, though, with the primary forces of change being increased education concerning mental illness and exposure to modern medical practices (Ilechukwu, 1988). One of the most important medical events in the history of mental health care in Nigeria was the establishment of Aro Psychiatric Hospital (Nervous Diseases Hospital) in Abeokuta in 1952; this facility was established during a period in Nigeria's history when electroshock therapy was regarded as the most efficacious modern therapeutic treatment modality available (Kemp). "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Carothers J. C. (1955). A report on the psychiatric services of Nigeria. London: Crown Standard Agents.
• Cunnyngham-Brown R. (1938). A report on the care and treatment of lunatics in the British West African Colonies. Lagos, Nigeria, and London: Crown Standard Agents.
• Fiki, C. (2007). Globalization and drug and alcohol use in rural communities in Nigeria: A case study. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, 34(2), 37.
• Fraenkel, J. R. & Wallen, N. E. (2001). Educational research: A guide to the process. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Gratton, C., & Jones, I. (2003). Research methods for sport studies. New York: Routledge.

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