Depression and Globalization : The Politics of Mental Health in the 21st Century

In the coming years the World Health Organization predicts that depression will rank just behind heart conditions in terms of the global disease burden. Yet, according to a provocative new book, mental health systems often reinforce the depressive disorders they aim to treat. In __Depression and Globalization__, Carl Walker analyzes the human cost of recent political and economic events as main contributors to the rise of depression, particularly in the U.S. and Britain. Starting in the 1980s, income and educational disparities, financial and job insecurity—by-products of multinational business—have grown in parallel with increasing feelings of hopelessness and isolation. These sociopolitical stressors, Walker asserts, have not only added to the prevalence of depressive disorders, but have profoundly influenced their conceptualization and treatment. Balancing individual lives and societal health, the author identifies challenges rarely discussed in the mental health field, and steps the community can take to improve their outcome. Included in the coverage: * The stigma of depression in the context of recent political and economic events. * The trickle-down mental health effects of global politics. * The "depression industry": its economic context, and how its biological and individual emphasis can contribute to patients’ core problems. * Public attitudes toward depression, and how they are shaped. * Community and society-wide initiatives for mental well-being, __Depression and Globalization__ opens the debate with considerable insight, and clinicians, researchers, and policymakers will find in Walker’s work a powerful and timely prescription for change. (publisher-supplied Data) Depression And Globalisation Is An Important Academic Text On The Political Aspects Of Depression, Specifically The Relationship Between Globalisation And Depression. In This Text Dr. Walker Reestablishes The Link Between Mental Health Research And Treatment, Along With The Political And Economical Influences Outside The World Of Academic And Clinical Mental Health. Overall, This Book Will Accomplish The Task Of How Closely And Inextricably Linked These Diverse Fields Are And The Way They Operate Together To Produce Not Only A Cultural Representation Of Mental Illness But Influence The Extent And Type Of Mental Distress In The 21st Century. Depression -- What Is Depression? -- The Stigma Of Depression: History And Context -- Globalization -- The New Right And The 1980s -- Globalization: Definitions And Debates -- Mental Health -- The Structures Of Society And Depression -- The Mental Health Sciences And The Depression Industry -- Depression And The Future. Carl Walker. Subtitle On Cover Reads: The Politics Of Mental Health In The Twenty-first Century. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 190-198) And Index. This is an important academic text on the political aspects of depression, specifically the relationship between globalization and depression. The text Walker reestablishes the link between mental health research and treatment, along with the political and economical influences outside the world of academic and clinical mental health. Overall, this book accomplishes the task of how closely and inextricably linked these diverse fields are and the way they operate together to produce not only a cultural representation of mental illness but influence the extent and type of mental distress in the 21st century. Front Matter....Pages i-xv Front Matter....Pages 1-1 What Is Depression?....Pages 3-30 The Stigma of Depression: History and Context....Pages 31-57 Front Matter....Pages 59-59 The New Right and the 1980s....Pages 61-95 Globalization: Definitions and Debates....Pages 96-130 Front Matter....Pages 131-131 The Structures of Society and Depression....Pages 133-157 The Mental Health Sciences and the Depression Industry....Pages 158-181 Depression and the Future....Pages 182-189 Back Matter....Pages 190-203 Describes the political aspects of depression, specifically the relationship between globalization and depression. This book reestablishes links between mental health research and treatment, and reviews political and economic influences outside the world of academic and clinical mental health