Review: A transdisciplinary public health model for child and adolescent mental healthcare

Abstract

Access to quality mental health services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is poor, despite the high burden of child and adolescent mental health problems due to poverty and childhood adversity. LMICs also face a shortage of trained mental health professionals due to limited resources, and a lack of standardized intervention modules and materials. As a result of these challenges, and given that child development and mental health concerns cut across a variety of disciplines, sectors and services, public health models must incorporate integrated approaches to address the mental health and psychosocial care needs of vulnerable children. This article presents a working model of convergence and transdisciplinary public health practice to address the gaps and challenges in child and adolescent mental health care in LMICs. Based in a government tertiary mental health facility, this national-level model reaches out to (child) service providers and stakeholders, duty bearers and citizens (namely parents, teachers, protection officers, health workers and other interested parties) through capacity building initiatives and tele-mentoring services, public discourse series developed for a South Asian context and delivered in different languages.