APA-IUPsyS Global Mental Health Fellowship

About the Fellowship

The APA-IUPsyS Global Mental Health Fellowship provides an opportunity for a psychologist to spend one year at the World Health Organization (WHO), in the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, working on one or more issues related to the WHO Mental Health Action Plan. Pending funding approval in December 2014, the fellowship will provide a modest stipend for additional living costs in Geneva and fellowship-related travel that is intended to supplement the fellow's other, regular sources of income.

The program intends to: 

• Provide psychologists with exposure to and involvement with international global mental health policy and implementation.
• Contribute to the more effective use of psychological knowledge and research in global mental health policy and implementation.
• Broaden awareness about the value of socio-behavioral approaches to health and mental health in a global context.

The APA-IUPsyS Global Mental Health fellow will be assigned (seconded) to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Funding for the fellowship will provide supplemental funds of US$30,000 for living expenses in Geneva and fellowship-related travel. No salary funds are provided. It is anticipated that the fellow will secure institutional or other core funding during the fellowship year.

After selection, the fellow's specific research activities will be specified in a work plan, developed in discussion with the WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, APA and IUPsyS. Appointment of the fellow will be subject to approval by WHO.

About WHO's Action Plan

The APA-IUPsyS Global Mental Health fellow will engage in activities addressing the overall goal of the Mental Health Action Plan: "to promote mental well-being, prevent mental disorders, provide care, enhance recovery, promote human rights and reduce the mortality, morbidity and disability for persons with mental disorders." This goal is carried out through four major objectives to be developed and implemented within a framework that stresses human rights, multisectoral approaches, evidence-based practice, a life span approach and empowerment of persons with mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities. The focus of the fellow's activities will address one or more of these objectives:

• Strengthen effective leadership and governance for mental health. 
• Provide comprehensive, integrated and responsive mental health and social care services in community-based settings.
• Implement strategies for promotion and prevention in mental health.
• Strengthen information systems, evidence and research for mental health.

In this context, mental health is construed broadly. It includes, but it not limited to behavioral health, clinical interventions (diagnosis and treatment), prevention and promotion, health systems issues, and public policy for mental health.