title: Tuberculosis and mental health in the Asia-Pacific.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This opinion piece encourages mental health researchers and clinicians to engage with mental health issues among tuberculosis patients in the Asia-Pacific region in a culturally appropriate and ethical manner. The diversity of cultural contexts and the high burden of tuberculosis throughout the Asia-Pacific presents significant challenges. Research into tuberculosis and mental illness in this region is an opportunity to develop more nuanced models of mental illness and treatment, while simultaneously contributing meaningfully to regional tuberculosis care and prevention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We overview key issues in tuberculosis and mental illness co-morbidity, highlight ethical concerns and advocate for a regional approach to tuberculosis and mental health that is consistent with the transnational challenges presented by this airborne infectious disease. Integrating tuberculosis and mental health services will go a long way to addressing the needs of vulnerable populations and stopping the transmission of one of the world's biggest infectious killers.
authors.affiliation: Research Fellow, Centre for Values, Ethics and the Law in Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, and; Honorary Fellow, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Glebe, NSW, and; Scholarly Teaching Fellow, Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia paul.mason@woolcock.org.au.
authors.forename: Paul H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Annika C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Sweetland
authors.affiliation: Clinical Lecturer, Medicine, Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, and; Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Glebe, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Greg J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: Clinical Project Officer, Westmead Psychotherapy Program, Westmead, NSW, Clinical Lecturer, Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Shaun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Halovic
authors.affiliation: Country Director, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Ha Noi, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Thu Anh
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: Clinical Professor, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Glebe, NSW, and; Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, and; South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Guy B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Marks
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology*; D001315:Australia; D015897:Comorbidity; D054521:Cultural Competency; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D008603:Mental Health / Q000208:ethnology; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Asia-Pacific; depression; mental health; mental illness; psychosis; tuberculosis