A CULTURAL ADAPTATION OF WESTERN PSYCHOLOGY: EVALUATING THE ROLE OF COLLABORATIVE CARE IN A SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN REGION

Abstract

Globally, children and youth are more vulnerable to experiencing mental health challenges; early intervention is key to preventing ongoing mental health difficulties into adolescence and adulthood. School-based mental health interventions have proven to be effective but require a significant amount of collaboration between teachers, parents, mental health specialists and other important stakeholders. Equally noteworthy are the significant treatment, resource and capacity gaps between high and low to middle income countries when it comes to child mental health; the SHINE research group seeks to implement a school-based mental health program in countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region. They also intend to scale-up the prevention and intervention capabilities of said countries to improve overall child mental health. This study investigated the role of collaborative care in SHINE’s program development and implementation processes, while examining the cultural and societal challenges associated with implementing a school mental health program developed primarily in high-income countries to specific non-Western contexts. Individual and small-group indepth interviews were conducted with ten key stakeholders from the SHINE team and partner countries (specifically Iran, Jordan and Egypt). Findings identified the potential for the collaborative care approach within the SHINE school mental health program to greatly ameliorate child mental health outcomes. Additionally, participants noted the necessity for clearer stakeholder role definition and differentiation of general vs specific program elements between countries. Challenges associated with implementing the intervention in the Eastern Mediterranean region included the dominant role of the family, challenging societal norms and stigmatization and structural barriers to applying SHINE’s specific program resources. In summary, the role of collaborative care is increasingly important to SHINE’s current efforts in improving child mental health, however, individual cultural and country characteristics should be an area of emphasis moving forward.