International disaster mental health.
This article distills key issues and controversies in the field of international disaster mental health. It offers perspectives from cross-cultural research and describes current controversies, including the appropriateness of bringing to bear Western structures of mental health and psychiatric diagnosis to non-Western settings. It reports early lessons learned from the field regarding what might best constitute assistance within a foreign culture and where to place emphasis. It recommends becoming involved within the relief establishment.
Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. rbarron@challiance.org
Ruth A
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Barron
D003469:Culture; D004190:Disasters; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012066:Relief Work; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States