Vikram H. Patel: Global Mental Health

Abstract

Witkowski chats with Indian psychiatrist Vikram Patel on the problem of adequacy of psychiatric categories of mental illness, the usefulness of diagnostic manuals (DSM and ICD) and the medicalization of mental health. They then interpret the growing numbers of mental health diagnoses globally, the role of over-diagnosing in the growing numbers and the efficacy of non-professional health care. Next, they talk about relationships between culture and mental illness, the possibilities of the application of Patel’s methods in well-developed countries and the potentiality of artificial intelligence for psychotherapy. Patel presents his view on psychology’s achievements that benefit mental health practitioners and parses useful, useless and dangerous psychotherapeutic methods. The two then look at the gap between science and psychotherapy, the crisis in psychology and Patel’s achievements, current research and activities. Finally, Patel presents the importance of social dimensions of mental health and his advice for young psychologists.

I would love to live in a world where we can value our mental health in the same way we value our physical health.