Social Neuroscience in Global Mental Health Case Study on Stigma Reduction in Nepal
In low- and middle-income countries, the number of people with mental illness receiving minimally adequate care ranges from 1 out of 25 to 1 out of a 100. Given this major treatment gap, the World Health Organization and other institutions advocate provision of mental health care by primary care workers. However, there has been limited delivery of services after primary care workers are trained in mental health. One reason is that training programs have focused on increasing knowledge while not addressing attitudes. Social neuroscience theories can improve mental health training by addressing affect and motivation of health workers. Social neuroscience highlights the need to reduce between-group identity distinctions and threat while fostering empathy. Promoting health worker self-efficacy and therapeutic allegiance also benefits service delivery. Ultimately, social neuroscience theories can strengthen strategies to increase mental health services for persons living in low resource settings around the world.
