Innovations in Global Mental Health

Dr. Sam O. Okpaku M.D., Ph.D. is an expert in Global Mental Health who has lived in countries across the world, including Nigeria, the UK, Israel, and the US.  He has studied internal medicine, psychiatry, social welfare at various prestigious institutions globally.  In the US, he has held high-profile positions at various reputable institutions, including Yale, the University of Pennsylvania, and most recently Vanderbilt University.  His far-reaching medical interests include neurosurgery, psychiatry, nursing, neurology, immunology and internal medicine.  His non-medical interests include philosophy, music, and social justice.In addition to his academic and global work, Dr. Okpaku has built a successful private practice in Nashville.  He takes pride in organizing his wealth of knowledge, experience, and international contacts into high-quality articles and professional books meant to advance the medical community around the world.

• Grand Challenges and Innovations (Vice President for Programs Grand Challenges Canada).- The Role of World Bank the World Health Organization (World Bank).- The Role of Private Foundations and NGO’s e.g. Wellcome Trust, Bill Gates Foundation, Carter Foundation.- Reducing Stigma in Mental Health.- Enhancing Human Capacity in low resource income countries the case of Liberia.- Lessons from Research Innovations on HIV.- Mental Health Policy (UK).- Mental Health System reform in Kosovo.- Mental Health System reform in Brazil.- Data Mining & Use to drive decision making and policy.- The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health.- The use of mobile phones for frontline health care workers to manage depression.- Telepsychiatry in Pudukkottai.- Telehealth Mental Health.- Total health screening for integrated care.- Sustaining African Traditional Health, The role of Faith Healers, and Community Health workers: help detect mental illness.- Integration of Mental Health and PsychosocialSupport Services into Primary Care in the Middle East.- Blended Care in Haiti.- Spiritual Leaders and Adopted Therapy.- The use of MPSS in immigration and refugee and immigrants.- Addressing depression in the violence wracked mountains of Pakistan.- Artificial and Technology, Tools for Mental Health, wellbeing, and resilience in refugees.- Attempts to achieve parity and coverage in Chile.- Developing Health Reform in China.- A framework for action on Universal Health Coverage in Africa.- Kenya integrated intervention model for dialogue and screening to promote children’s mental wellbeing (KID).- Pride (Premium for Adolescents).- Strong Minds.- Oxygen Youth Health.- Basic Needs, Mental Health, and Development Model.- The friendship Bench.- The Bariyan.- The Nero Strategy.- Community Based Mentoring & Enhanced Supervision (MESIT) to Address Severe Mental Disorders.- Feasibility and effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT) for women affected by urban violence.- A community based mental health intervention for mental health in Rwanda.- Learning Clubs for woman’s health and infant development.- Emerald.- Prime (Programs focus on Intervention Research for Mental Health Affirm (Africa focus on Interventions Research for Mental Health).- Dealing with the challenges of Human Resources and Capacity Building in India. Carter Foundation programs in Liberia.- National Capacity Building Programs in Ethiopia.- Capacity building in Post Conflict Rwanda.- Capacity building in Mexico.- Improving prevention and treatment systems based on primary prevention for alcohol use problems in 2 Caribbean countries—Guyana and Belgium.- A community oriented non specialist treatment for Alcohol Dependence.- Supporting Addiction affected families effectively (SAFE).- War and displacement from conflict areas.- Trauma Centers.- Prime programs for South Africa, India, Ethiopia, and Uganda.- Africa (Africa Focus on Intervention research for mental health).- Collaborative shared careto improving psychosis outcome.- Feasibility study in preparation for rationalized controlled trial: Enhanced primary mental health care.- Self Help Groups for Mental Health.- Consumer Advocacy Movement.- Dementia Home Care project.- Rehabilitation Intervention for people with schizophrenia in Ethiopia.- Advances in the Conceptualization and Measurement of Religious and Spiritualties.- 3 Dimensions of Care for Diabetes (3DFD).- Improving access to care for people with epilepsy through domestic health visitors.- Targeting family violence through domestic health visits.- Epilogue.