Global Mental Health: sharing and synthesizing knowledge for sustainable development

Global mental health (GMH) is a growing domain with an increasing capacity to positively impact the world community's efforts for sustainable development and wellbeing. Sharing and synthesizing GMH and multi-sectoral knowledge, the focus of this paper, is an important way to support these global efforts. This paper consolidates some of the most recent and relevant ‘context resources’ [global multi-sector (GMS) materials, emphasizing world reports on major issues] and ‘core resources’ (GMH materials, including newsletters, texts, conferences, training, etc.). In addition to offering a guided index of materials, it presents an orientation framework (global integration) to help make important information as accessible and useful as possible. Mental health colleagues are encouraged to stay current in GMH and global issues, to engage in the emerging agendas for sustainable development and wellbeing, and to intentionally connect and contribute across sectors. Colleagues in all sectors are encouraged to do likewise, and to take advantage of the wealth of shared and synthesized knowledge in the GMH domain, such as the materials featured in this paper.

This is the seventh and most extensive paper to date in which we overview the expanding domain of global mental health (GMH) (O'Donnell, 2016). It is part of our efforts to map GMH developments and resources and then share them in concise and accessible ways (e.g. popularizing and translating science and scholarly research via training, publications, and our GMH-Map website, see reference).
A main part of our work has been to encourage colleagues to collaborate across sectors and to identify new ways to leverage their skills, knowledge, interests, and character strengths (e.g. O'Donnell & Lewis O'Donnell, 2013;Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, 2016). Multi-sectoral approaches are increasingly being emphasized in addressing global problems, with one important GMH example being the 'multi-sectoral approach' highlighted in the Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020(World Health Organization, 2013b. This paper features a guided index of recent materials that illustrate the relevance of GMH and multi-sectoral knowledge for promoting sustainable development and wellbeing. It is designed as an orientation framework to facilitate GMH understanding and involvement across sectors through its emphasis on sharing and synthesizing knowledge (O'Donnell & Lewis O'Donnell, 2015d). More specifically, we have compiled these materials in view of two crucial, global efforts: (a) The global agenda for sustainable development as embodied in Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (United Nations, 2015a); and (b) the global efforts to strengthen humanitarian assistance as summarized in One Humanity: Shared Responsibility (United Nations, 2016). These materials are also compiled to practically support Objective 4 in the Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020, 'To strengthen information systems, evidence and research for mental health' and especially in low-and middle-income countries (Lora & Sharan, 2015;Ryan et al. 2015).
We have organized the paper in two main sections. The first section, Context Resources -Global Multi-Sector Materials (GMS), features seven representative reports on global issues. The second section, Core Resources -GMH Materials, includes seven representative lists of GMH materials. The paper, with its compilation of recent, relevant resources, is an example of a user-friendly tool, a blend of a guided index and an orientation framework, to help colleagues stay current and collaborate together. It is intended for GMH colleagues at all levels of experience, ranging from students to seasoned professionals, as well as colleagues at all levels of experience in different sectors (e.g. health, development, humanitarian, business, civil society, governments).

GMH and global integration
We define GMH broadly as an international, interdisciplinary, culturally sensitive, and multi-sectoral domain which promotes human wellbeing, the right to health, and equity in health for all. It encourages healthy behaviours and lifestyles; is committed to preventing and treating mental, neurological, and substance use conditions (MNS); and seeks to improve policies and programs, professional practices and research, advocacy and awareness, and social and environmental factors that affect health and wellbeing (O'Donnell, 2012a). This GMH definition, in both its breadth and its emphasis on health and wellbeing for all, points toward the many interactive areas that GMH colleagues can pursue themselves and with colleagues in other sectors.
We also view GMH through the broader framework of 'global integration' (GI) (O'Donnell & Lewis O'Donnell, 2015b, c, 2016. GI refers to how people are actively and skillfully integrating their lives with global issues. It involves connecting relationally and contributing relevantly on behalf of human wellbeing and the major issues facing humanity, in light of one's integrity and core values (e.g. ethical, humanitarian, faith-based). We have found this framework to be relevant for the increasing numbers of mental health professionals (MHPs) and colleagues across sectors who want to exchange knowledge and be meaningfully involved in our globalizing world. It also reflects the growing interests and involvements in the rise of citizen participation and global citizenship (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, 2014;United Nations, Department of Public Information, 2016). This paper then, with its emphasis on the GMS context and the GMH core, further maps important resources and developments to inform colleagues' work in wellbeing and sustainable development. We have also organized the main material in the paper in terms of the GI framework, as summarized in Fig. 1.

Context resources -GMS materials
The seven world reports below, and the additional materials listed in their 'More resources' subsections, overview major issues and efforts for development and wellbeing. Colleagues can be both guided and goaded by these materials as they reflect the unfolding reality that 'the context is crucial for the core'that is, understanding the global context is essential for working effectively in one's core emphasis, be it a discipline, organization, sector, country, specific issue, or domain like GMH. We note that both the reports and the materials listed in this section, many of which are available online in multiple languages, are just a sampling of course, among the hundreds of excellent items that are available.
We encourage you to read the overviews/summaries and more if possible as well as to identify the main newsletters-updates from each sector that interest you. We have gone over many of these multi-sectoral reports repeatedly, and often along with several colleagues, in order to consider their serious implications for our world, our work, and our personal lives. One example of how we interact with colleagues from different sectors is the Trio Gatherings (see reference) that we periodically convene in our home. These informal gatherings provide an alternative and relaxed place (outside of Geneva offices) to discuss global issues for mutual learning and mutual support. In GI terms, the gatherings are an additional way to connect relationally and to contribute relevantly with colleagues.  , 2015) and the online interactive version (see reference) as well as the upcoming 2016 report themed The Way Ahead (25th edition); (b) the various and ongoing UNDP reports at the national and regional levels, such as the Arab Human Development Reports; and (c) as a further example of regional development issues and analyses, Arab Human Development in the 21st Century: The Primacy of Empowerment (Korany, 2014).
6. White Paper on Peacebuilding (Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, 2014). This succinct Report is based on a multi-stakeholder initiative to explore peacebuilding practice. It is organized into three sections which summarize perspectives on the challenges, opportunities, and future of peacebuilding practice.

Core resources -GMH materials
This section lists seven categories of recent materials that are shaping the contours and the content of the GMH domain. The seven GMH categories include: newsletters and updates, edited books and special journal issues, World Health Organization publications, training programs and courses, conferences and events, GMH critiques, and GMH categories to be developed. Note that other materials could not be listed due to space limitations many of which are included on GMH-related websites (see item 1 below). We note that one of the great challenges for GMH is to unite further, that is to cooperate,collaborate, and leverage our many 'voices' to advocate for GMH at the global policy level and integrate GMH into sectoral, regional, local, and global agendas.

GMH newsletters and updates
Here are 10 GMH-related newsletters/bulletins (organized alphabetically by organization).

GMH Edited books and special journal issues
There is a steady and growing stream of edited texts and journals related to GMH, crucial for training-practice and providing colleagues from around the world the platforms to share their research, implementation experiences, and perspectives. Texts (all edited compilations of articles, organized by publishing date):

Training programs and courses
There are a growing number of GMH-related courses taught as part of graduate study programs and some which are available online. In addition there are or have been specific GMH overview courses at various universities such as Columbia University (Dr Kathleen Pike), Duke University (Dr Brandon Kohrt), Fordham University (Dr Andrew Rasmussen), George Washington University (Dr Eliot Sorel), and Johns Hopkins University (Dr Judith Bass). Also note the ongoing special GMH seminars and additional courses as part of GMH programs such as those at Columbia University, McGill University (reference), University of Toronto (reference), University of Washington (reference), and Yale University (reference), and at schools of public health and global health. There are a growing number of emphases in psychiatry programs on GMH that include options for training and experience, including fellowships. Psychology programs for the most part are not yet including these options. Boston College has a Global Practice Concentration in its School of Social Work (reference).
These developments above will certainly be mirrored in other areas of the world, and vice versa. They are part of the larger academic and social emphases of international relations/international studies and now areas which include the term 'global' such as 'global affairs. '

GMH conferences and events (organized by date)
This section lists many of the GMH-related conferences and consultations from 2013 to 2016. These gatherings have helped colleagues share research activities and resources, discuss issues together, as well as form closer relationships (the latter though may not necessarily happen unless interactive and social times are intentionally built into conference programs). Many of the presentations and other materials from these gatherings are available online. Hence, even though one is not able to attend, it is still possible to 'participate' and benefit via the materials that are available (e.g. power points/videos of the presentations, papers, and summary reports). There are many other mental health-related gatherings that overlap with and include GMH topics that could be added to the list below. Some of the organizations providing updated listings are done by the American Psychological Association (International Meetings, see reference) the International Union of Psychological Science (Calendar of Upcoming Conferences, see reference), and Columbia University's Global Mental Health Program (All Upcoming Events, see reference). It would also be helpful to list other major gatherings/events prior to 2013, including links to presentations/materials, starting perhaps with the launch of the mhGAP Program in 2008.
One suggestion for making the most of these gatherings is to meet together periodically with colleagues, intentionally including those from other sectors, to review and discuss some of the materials (and/or viewing any of the growing number of live-streamed webinars). Going one step further: why not set up an informal 'net-hub' in your area/setting in order to meet periodically for mutual learning and support, and further connect and contribute to GMH. For a brief proposal on GMH nets/hubs, see GMH-Geneva (O'Donnell and Lewis O'Donnell, 2012).

GMH critiques and cultural relevance
GMH is not without its critics. Here are some examples, which critique certain emphases and perceived emphases of GMH. The references and reference sections in the materials below provide a fuller listing. From our perspective, there is much to appreciate in these critiques as well as much to challenge. Here are some examples.
• Toward a New Architecture for Global Mental Health (Kirmayer and Pedersen, 2014). This is a helpful review of some of the concerns with GMH-a good place for a 'one-stop' overview. Some highlights include recognizing the influences and agendas that are shaping GMH or any 'global' area; understanding and prioritizing cultural formulations of distress; ensuring that the 'humanity' of the recipients of GMH services is preserved and that the human qualities of empathy and authentic care are not lost as we apply manuals and good practice guides and statistics across peoples/ cultures. There is an appreciation that doing GMH well is important yet not easy! • Patel (2014) (Ruston, 2013), Mental Health for All and by All (Patel, 2012). • Gender Issuese.g. Gender and Mental Health (French, 2011 Associates, see reference). • Webinarse.g. links to upcoming and archived GMH webinars related to GMH.

Working together -sector connectors
It is challenging to track with the expanding GMH domain. In fact, it can even be daunting and contribute to the information overload that regularly besets us. But in many ways we welcome this challenge as it is an indication of GMH's steady development and influence. One important follow-up to this paper could be a survey to assess how GMH colleagues (a) identify, stay current with, and utilize contextual and core materials; (b) are involved in different sectors; and (c) make use of the many international news and media sources on offer (e.g. see our GI Update, Staying Updated -Navigating the News; O'Donnell and Lewis O'Donnell, 2015e). Another follow-up item would be for some of the current information brokers (e.g. those responsible for GMH-related websites and newsletters) and other GMH colleagues to consult together in order to further develop sustainable, coordinated efforts in sharing news, updates, and resources. This paper stresses the importance of sharing and synthesizing both core GMH materials and contextual GMS materials (e.g. world reports and key updates). Strategic knowledge sharing and synthesis also supports civil society's increasing, informed involvements in global affairs and, in particular, with the United Nations in the agenda for sustainable development and wellbeing (e.g. Partnerships Engagement for the Sustainable Development Goals, United Nations, see reference). Although not without its flaws and failures (like any human institution), the United Nations continues to be crucial for promoting and protecting the overlapping areas of human security/peace, human rights/dignity, and social progress/better standards of life, as highlighted in Preamble of the Charter of the United Nations (United Nations General Assembly, 1945).
The paper also presented the authors' GI framework, which emphasizes linking skills, values, and integrity, and connecting relationally and contributing relevantly, on behalf of the major issues facing humanity. The GI framework was used to structure the sample template ( Fig. 1) in the paper. Colleagues can use and adjust this template in order to further clarify how they would like to stay informed and updated in GMH and GMS areas.
We encourage MHPs from all disciplines to get involved in GMH and for colleagues in all sectors to take advantage of the wealth of shared and synthesized GMH knowledge. Intentional and active involvement across sectors as 'sector connectors' is a key practice for positively impacting our precarious, often perilous, yet precious world (O'Donnell, 2013;O'Donnell and Lewis O'Donnell, 2014). The universal challenges for sustainable development and wellbeing must be met by our coordinated responses to fulfill our political and moral responsibilities, as UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declares in his synthesis report on the post-2015 sustainable development agenda: (Ban, 2014): Our globalized world is marked by extraordinary progress alongside unacceptableand unsustainablelevels of want, fear, discrimination, exploitation, injustice and environmental folly at all levels…. These are universal challenges. They demand new levels of multilateral action, based on evidence and built on shared values, principles and priorities for a common destiny…. None of today's threats respect boundaries drawn by human beings, whether those boundaries are national borders or boundaries of class, ability, age, gender, geography, ethnicity or re-ligion…. I urge Governments and people everywhere to fulfill their political and moral responsibilities. This is my call to dignity, and we must respond with all our vision and strength. (excerpts from paragraphs 11, 14, 15, 25).

Declaration of Interest
None.

Ethical Standards
No research involving human and/or animal experimentation was conducted.