Oxford Cultural Psychiatry – serie

Over the past fifty years we have seen an enormous demographic shift in the number of people migrating to urban areas, proliferated by factors such as industrialisation and globalisation. Urban migration has led to numerous societal stressors such as pollution, overcrowding, unemployment, and resource, which in turn has contributed to psychiatric disorders within urban spaces. Rates of mental illness, addictions, and violence are higher in urban areas and changes in social network systems and support have increased levels of social isolation and lack of social support. Part of the Oxford Cultural Psychiatry series, Urban Mental Health brings together international perspectives on urbanisation, its impacts on mental health, the nature of the built environment, and the dynamic nature of social engagement. Containing 24 chapters on key topics such as research challenges, adolescent mental health, and suicides in cities, this resource provides a refreshing look at the challenges faced by clinicians and mental health care professionals today. Emphasis is placed on findings from low- and middle-income countries where expansion is rapid and resources limited bridging the gap in research findings.

Evidence indicates a correlation between early intervention and improved response in psychiatric disorders. Yet the majority of evidence is from high-income countries, and there is a lack of evidence and resources on the impact of early intervention across cultures and in low- and middle-income countries. Early Intervention in Psychiatric Disorders across Cultures aims to bridge this gap by focusing on the evidence and methods of intervention in less affluent countries. It covers mood disorders, personality disorders, addictions, and other psychiatric conditions, whilst most research has focused on psychoses and bipolar disorder. Over 17 chapters, this resource guides the reader through an array of approaches to early intervention, from brain imaging and available care pathways, to cultural and societal factors. Part of the Oxford Cultural Psychiatry series, this resource offers readers a picture of the current health care pathways available as well as social, cultural, and ethical considerations to apply in practice.

Whilst the number of people currently experiencing homelessness cannot be precisely estimated due to varying definitions across countries and cultures, the link between homelessness and mental health disorders is undeniable. Both are strongly affected by social and economic determinants such as poverty, migration, unemployment, access to healthcare, and urbanization and, as a result, providing optimal care in the community requires understanding of the cultural context. Part of the Oxford Cultural Psychiatry series, this unique resource provides an overview of the connection between homelessness and mental health around the globe. Over 27 chapters it offers up-to-date research and policy evidence with an emphasis on developing models of social care and rehabilitation at a local level that enable easy access to mental health services. Written and edited by experts drawn from different cultural and geographical perspectives, this unique resource covers key topics such as COVID-19, dental issues, and chronic pain, the experiences of specific vulnerable groups, as well as case studies from specific countries.

Over 700,000 people globally take their own lives every year, which equates to one death by suicide every 40 seconds. Among teenagers and young adults, suicide is the second most common cause of death after road traffic accidents. Overall, almost three times as many men than women die by suicide. There are, however, significant variations in the patterns of suicide across cultures, gender, age, geographic locations, and personal history, due to the complex relationship of how these factors converge. One thing that remains consistent, is that every death is a tragedy for family, friends, and all colleagues. Traditions of suicidal behaviour are deeply rooted in any given culture, and so examining the cultural influences can be of paramount importance in the understanding and assessment of a suicidal crisis.Suicide Across Cultures offers the opportunity to expand knowledge beyond majority groups and to look further than the dominant paradigm in suicide research, treatment, and prevention. With the majority of global suicides taking place in non-Western societies, minority groups are an essential area in suicide research. Written by experts from around the world, this fascinating textbook includes topics and regions that are not usually covered in texts on suicide and self-harm. It provides a unique, and important insight for academics and students in psychiatry, as well as anyone from the wider public with an interest in the psychiatry of suicide across cultures.

In recent years, mental illness has been frequently discussed in relation to radicalization, violence, and terrorism, yet there are few resources that explore the broad range of interconnecting factors that lead to this complex behavioural phenomenon. Terrorism, Violent Radicalization and Mental Health brings together distinct disciplinary and ideological narratives on the political, social, economic, and cultural aspects of radicalisation and terrorism today. Across 18 chapters, it assesses a wide range of groups and types of extremism and terrorism from around the world, as well as key topics such as technology, social and international policies, ethics and cultural competency, and the role psychiatrists and mental health professionals play in treatment, management, and prevention.Written and edited by a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals, researchers, and legal experts from around the world, this resource bringing together theoretical and evidence-based perspectives, as well as practical real-life cases and first-person accounts, and suggestions for future interventions.

Religiosity and spirituality (R/S) represent a very important factor of daily life for many individuals across different cultures and contexts. It is associated with lower rates of depression, suicide, mortality, and substance abuse, and is positively correlated with well-being and quality of life. Despite growing academic recognition and scientific literature on these connections this knowledge has not been translated into clinical practice.Part of the expanding Oxford Cultural Psychiatry series, Spirituality and Mental Health Across Cultures is a timely exploration of the implications of R/S on mental health. Written and edited by 38 experts in the fields of spirituality and mental health from 11 countries, covering a wide range of cultural and geographical perspectives, this unique resource assesses how mental health relates to world religions, agnosticism, atheism, and spiritualism unaffiliated with organised religion, with a practical touch.Across 25 chapters, this resource provides readers with a succinct and trustworthy review of the latest research and how this can be applied to clinical care. The first section covers the principles and fundamental questions that relate science, history, philosophy, neuroscience, religion, and spirituality with mental health. The second section discusses the main beliefs and practices related to world religions and their implications to mental health. The third reviews the impact of R/S on specific clinical situations and offers practical guidance on how to handle these appropriately, such as practical suggestions for assessing and integrating R/S in personal history anamnesis or psychotherapy.