GLOBALIZATION TECHNOLOGY & SOCIAL CHANGE
Depression:
According to the WHO, Depression is the leading cause of illnesses and disability worldwide. Those who suffer from depression have difficulties in performing everyday activities. Depression puts people at risk to suicide (1). In addition of being the most depressed country worldwide, the U.S. ranks top 5 in having mental health illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, and anxiety. Even though this statistic can be the result of how populous the nation is, can it also be that the higher the country’s economic status, the more aware the nation is about mental health illnesses? Latin America composed of 22 nations is placed under the category of the global south. Due to its colonial history, Latin America has the least capitalist countries, influencing the distribution of resources (whether it be education, environmental, health, etc.). There is a global impression on Latin America which reflects on political corruption, whether it be linked to corrupt political parties or natural disasters causing population displacement. The topics mentioned above can be main factors of mental health illnesses (mainly depression). It is important to understand whether or not nations accept the universal definition of mental health diagnosis. Similar to policies, there needs to be a universal agreement as to what defines a certain illness.
According to the WHO, Depression is the leading cause of illnesses and disability worldwide. Those who suffer from depression have difficulties in performing everyday activities. Depression puts people at risk to suicide (1). In addition of being the most depressed country worldwide, the U.S. ranks top 5 in having mental health illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, and anxiety. Even though this statistic can be the result of how populous the nation is, can it also be that the higher the country’s economic status, the more aware the nation is about mental health illnesses? Latin America composed of 22 nations is placed under the category of the global south. Due to its colonial history, Latin America has the least capitalist countries, influencing the distribution of resources (whether it be education, environmental, health, etc.). There is a global impression on Latin America which reflects on political corruption, whether it be linked to corrupt political parties or natural disasters causing population displacement. The topics mentioned above can be main factors of mental health illnesses (mainly depression). It is important to understand whether or not nations accept the universal definition of mental health diagnosis. Similar to policies, there needs to be a universal agreement as to what defines a certain illness.
Perspective:
The Latin American community has a distinctive way of understanding mental health illnesses. Their perspective on mental health facilities dates back to the first established facilities during colonial times. The first facility was created in 1566, Mexico City, admitting mostly patients with “degenerative neurological disorders, psychoses, and mental deficiency, plus cripples, beggars and invalids of all kinds usually stayed in these asylums…”(2). These ‘loqueiras’ (insane quarters) have impacted the perspectives of the Latin American community on how they view acceptance of mental health illness. In addition to the ‘degenerative’ acceptance rate, the time frame of health development projects in Latin America is another important factor. The first mental health seminar and first mental health development project took place in 1962 Cuernavaca, Mexico. Chile held following conferences in 1968 and 1972, as an opportunity to inform the public about services and future epidemiological research. In other words, this a fairly new project which requires a lot of work.
The Latin American community has a distinctive way of understanding mental health illnesses. Their perspective on mental health facilities dates back to the first established facilities during colonial times. The first facility was created in 1566, Mexico City, admitting mostly patients with “degenerative neurological disorders, psychoses, and mental deficiency, plus cripples, beggars and invalids of all kinds usually stayed in these asylums…”(2). These ‘loqueiras’ (insane quarters) have impacted the perspectives of the Latin American community on how they view acceptance of mental health illness. In addition to the ‘degenerative’ acceptance rate, the time frame of health development projects in Latin America is another important factor. The first mental health seminar and first mental health development project took place in 1962 Cuernavaca, Mexico. Chile held following conferences in 1968 and 1972, as an opportunity to inform the public about services and future epidemiological research. In other words, this a fairly new project which requires a lot of work.
Universal Agreement:
“… the extraction and circulation of such information is not a simple matter. In the case of mental illness, the value of genomic information depends upon the stabilization of the very thing it claims to represent- the disorder itself.”(3).
Establishing a universal definition is extremely important not only diagnosis, but for epidemiological research. Universal definitions usually originate from the western world. Bi-polar disorder, according to the WHO causes fluctuation in mood, from states of manic excitement to periods of abject depression. There are two types; type 1 is composed of classic manic depression, characterized by severe shifts in mood between florid mania and depression. Type 2 is composed of severe depression is punctuated not by full blown mania but by mild euphoria, “hypomania”. A case study (Genset Pharmaceuticals) conducted in Argentina 1997 confirmed the an overall miscommunication between patients and professionals, and professionals between the new world and the western world. It was difficult to conduct research in Argentina. Patients had difficulties in understanding their diagnosis of bi-polar disorder, if they fell under the categories; some professionals didn’t agree with the universal definition to establish a concrete diagnosis.
“… the extraction and circulation of such information is not a simple matter. In the case of mental illness, the value of genomic information depends upon the stabilization of the very thing it claims to represent- the disorder itself.”(3).
Establishing a universal definition is extremely important not only diagnosis, but for epidemiological research. Universal definitions usually originate from the western world. Bi-polar disorder, according to the WHO causes fluctuation in mood, from states of manic excitement to periods of abject depression. There are two types; type 1 is composed of classic manic depression, characterized by severe shifts in mood between florid mania and depression. Type 2 is composed of severe depression is punctuated not by full blown mania but by mild euphoria, “hypomania”. A case study (Genset Pharmaceuticals) conducted in Argentina 1997 confirmed the an overall miscommunication between patients and professionals, and professionals between the new world and the western world. It was difficult to conduct research in Argentina. Patients had difficulties in understanding their diagnosis of bi-polar disorder, if they fell under the categories; some professionals didn’t agree with the universal definition to establish a concrete diagnosis.
Global History Explaining Why Latin America Lags Behind As An International Power:
Global wealth is desired throughout the international community. However, because of historical events some nations have a higher comparative advantage of becoming leaders in the race. Raul Prebisch, a well-known political economist recognizes there is a global core-periphery dichotomy. There is no surprise the geographical location of successful developed nations are located on the northern side of the hemisphere, as to underdeveloped nations are on the south. Alongside Prebisch, Celso Furtado (Brazilian political economist) also explores the comparative advantages these two regions faces during times of colonialism. He believes “underdevelopment should not be thought of as a temporary historical phase, but rather as an outcome of the particular way in which social relation generated many of the imbalance whose effects were once thought of as a cyclical phenomena”(4). He focuses OECD nations’ TNC’s had no legal obligation to invest back into the host countries as they extracted raw materials, causing a major setback in Latin American industrialization. Even though TNC’s are controversial in Latin American development, it did allow access for nations to participate in the international market. This access can stimulate the nations wealth. However, because of preference over venture investments rather than national industrialization, it created another setback for Latin America.
Global wealth is desired throughout the international community. However, because of historical events some nations have a higher comparative advantage of becoming leaders in the race. Raul Prebisch, a well-known political economist recognizes there is a global core-periphery dichotomy. There is no surprise the geographical location of successful developed nations are located on the northern side of the hemisphere, as to underdeveloped nations are on the south. Alongside Prebisch, Celso Furtado (Brazilian political economist) also explores the comparative advantages these two regions faces during times of colonialism. He believes “underdevelopment should not be thought of as a temporary historical phase, but rather as an outcome of the particular way in which social relation generated many of the imbalance whose effects were once thought of as a cyclical phenomena”(4). He focuses OECD nations’ TNC’s had no legal obligation to invest back into the host countries as they extracted raw materials, causing a major setback in Latin American industrialization. Even though TNC’s are controversial in Latin American development, it did allow access for nations to participate in the international market. This access can stimulate the nations wealth. However, because of preference over venture investments rather than national industrialization, it created another setback for Latin America.
Corruption:
Past and present political corruption is the outcome of Latin colonial history. La violencia in Guatemala during the 1970’s involved the massive genocide of the indigenous population both Landino and Mayan. Because of exposure, efforts were made to aid the fragmented community. The Guatemalan government had the responsibility to treat family victims of genocide under psychiatric care. Psychiatrists have agreed in defining the families of victims mental health state under PTSD- Post traumatic syndrome disorder. The collected testimonies of victims and their families with the use of professional help from both international and national resources, allowed for the production of written record which can be used in individual and community attempts to provide evidence of human right violations and seek justice (5). Programs such as ECAP (Equipo de Estudios Comunitarios y Accion Psicosocial/ Psycho-Social Community Studies and Action Team) in Rabinal 1996 later followed to bring awareness of PTSD and other psychiatric help victims may find use for. |
Natural Disasters:
According to the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, agency of international development (1986), the southern cone is prone to natural disasters ranging from earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruption, etc. The Southern cone has experienced about 262 disasters causing 165,000 deaths and affecting 78 million people (6). The Armero-Ecuador project was a development project in result of the volcanic eruption affecting civilians from Ecuador and Colombia. (7). Their focus is on identifying the frequency of emotional disorders in disaster victims, developing training programs where professionals can aid during times of disaster, distributing mental health care to the victims. It was successful. It allowed for the creation of various mental health development projects in Latin America with emphasis in primary care.
According to the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, agency of international development (1986), the southern cone is prone to natural disasters ranging from earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruption, etc. The Southern cone has experienced about 262 disasters causing 165,000 deaths and affecting 78 million people (6). The Armero-Ecuador project was a development project in result of the volcanic eruption affecting civilians from Ecuador and Colombia. (7). Their focus is on identifying the frequency of emotional disorders in disaster victims, developing training programs where professionals can aid during times of disaster, distributing mental health care to the victims. It was successful. It allowed for the creation of various mental health development projects in Latin America with emphasis in primary care.
Resourcing:
Latin America focusing on venture investments vs. industrializing of their own nation is quite similar to the distribution of budget when it comes to mental health programs. The Caracas declaration 1990 promises to regulate an equal distribution of budgets in mental health programs, rather than having a main focus on psychiatric disorders. (8). However, this is not the only mental health development project having difficulties in allocating resources equally. Currently, there are 14 nations within Latin America who are actively participating in mental health development programs (9). But, in order to successfully integrate mental health into the public health system there needs to be a high demand from the community.
Latin America focusing on venture investments vs. industrializing of their own nation is quite similar to the distribution of budget when it comes to mental health programs. The Caracas declaration 1990 promises to regulate an equal distribution of budgets in mental health programs, rather than having a main focus on psychiatric disorders. (8). However, this is not the only mental health development project having difficulties in allocating resources equally. Currently, there are 14 nations within Latin America who are actively participating in mental health development programs (9). But, in order to successfully integrate mental health into the public health system there needs to be a high demand from the community.
Conclusion:
Understanding mental health illnesses relates to the outcome of Latin America’s colonial history. Even though there are upcoming development projects there’s still a strong perception of mental health illnesses as taboo. These development projects are attempting to break down these barriers as well as expand the awareness of the subject. Distributing resources is one of the most difficult obstacles these projects will face. These development projects would be successful if mental health illness was prioritized just as other issues such as industrializing the nation, environmental, diseases etc. The root of the problem of allocating resources equally is the economic status of the country. Since the southern cone contains the least capitalist countries, it lacks in acquiring resources for important social-economic issues.
Understanding mental health illnesses relates to the outcome of Latin America’s colonial history. Even though there are upcoming development projects there’s still a strong perception of mental health illnesses as taboo. These development projects are attempting to break down these barriers as well as expand the awareness of the subject. Distributing resources is one of the most difficult obstacles these projects will face. These development projects would be successful if mental health illness was prioritized just as other issues such as industrializing the nation, environmental, diseases etc. The root of the problem of allocating resources equally is the economic status of the country. Since the southern cone contains the least capitalist countries, it lacks in acquiring resources for important social-economic issues.
Notes:
1. http://www.who.int/mental_health/management/depression/en/ Accessed: 17 December 2017.
2. LEÓN, CARLOS A. “PERSPECTIVES ON MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR LATIN AMERICA.” International Journal of Mental Health, vol. 11, no. 4, 1982, pp. 84–97. JSTOR, JSTOR
3. Lakoff, Andrew (2005). Diagnostic liquidity: Mental illness and the global trade in DNA. _Theory and Society_ 34 (1):63-92.
4. Mallorquín, Carlos. “Celso Furtado and Development: An Outline.” Development in Practice, vol. 17, no. 6, 2007, pp. 807–819. JSTOR, JSTOR
5. Sanford, Victoria. 2003. Buried Secrets: Truth and Human Rights in Guatemala. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.
6. Lima, Bruno R., et al. “Disasters and Mental Health: Experience in Colombia and Ecuador and Its Relevance for Primary Care in Mental Health in Latin America.” International Journal of Mental Health, vol. 19, no. 2, 1990, pp. 3–20. JSTOR, JSTOR,
7. OFDA Annual Report FY 1986, Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance, 119-128
8. Levav, Itzhak, et al. “The Restructuring of Psychiatric Care in Latin America: A New Policy for Mental Health Services.” Journal of Public Health Policy, vol. 15, no. 1, 1994, pp. 71–85. JSTOR, JSTOR,
9. Alarco, R.D. and S.A. Aguilar-Gaxiola. 2000. “Mental health policy developments in Latin America.” World Health Organization. 78 (4): 483-490
1. http://www.who.int/mental_health/management/depression/en/ Accessed: 17 December 2017.
2. LEÓN, CARLOS A. “PERSPECTIVES ON MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR LATIN AMERICA.” International Journal of Mental Health, vol. 11, no. 4, 1982, pp. 84–97. JSTOR, JSTOR
3. Lakoff, Andrew (2005). Diagnostic liquidity: Mental illness and the global trade in DNA. _Theory and Society_ 34 (1):63-92.
4. Mallorquín, Carlos. “Celso Furtado and Development: An Outline.” Development in Practice, vol. 17, no. 6, 2007, pp. 807–819. JSTOR, JSTOR
5. Sanford, Victoria. 2003. Buried Secrets: Truth and Human Rights in Guatemala. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.
6. Lima, Bruno R., et al. “Disasters and Mental Health: Experience in Colombia and Ecuador and Its Relevance for Primary Care in Mental Health in Latin America.” International Journal of Mental Health, vol. 19, no. 2, 1990, pp. 3–20. JSTOR, JSTOR,
7. OFDA Annual Report FY 1986, Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance, 119-128
8. Levav, Itzhak, et al. “The Restructuring of Psychiatric Care in Latin America: A New Policy for Mental Health Services.” Journal of Public Health Policy, vol. 15, no. 1, 1994, pp. 71–85. JSTOR, JSTOR,
9. Alarco, R.D. and S.A. Aguilar-Gaxiola. 2000. “Mental health policy developments in Latin America.” World Health Organization. 78 (4): 483-490