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Globalisation and Mental Health

Globalisation and Mental health is a study of the impact of globalisation on mental health (cite). Globalisation could be defined as a process in which the traditional boundaries of culture are changing, separating individuals and societies gradually and increasingly diminish (Okasha, 2005; Bhurga and Mastrogianni, 2004). The process has clearly both negative and positive results (Okasha, 2005). This process is changing the nature of human interaction in many spheres such economic, political, social, cultural, environmental and technological (Bhurga and Mastrogianni, 2004, Babones and Babcicky, 2010). It is changing the way human perceive time and space, and the way we think about the world and ourselves (Kunitz, 2000; Lee, 2000). Globalisation has contributed to instant communication, fast and efficient means of travel, a widened access to technology, cross-border cultural interaction and globalise approaches to environmental issues (Okasha, 2005). Globalisation has rapidly altered the societies through urbanisation, acculturation, modernisation, and social and cultural change (Bhurga and Mastrogianni, 2004). The quality of life in many countries is affected by economic disintegration, unequal distribution of collective wealth, social disruption, political repression, migration and even war (Bhurga and Mastrogianni, 2004). Millions of people still lack food, water, education and basic health care (Bhurga and Mastrogianni, 2004). Hence, there is a widening gap between societies which value knowledge and technology and others which are still backwards, ignorant, frustrated, helpless and unable to follow progress and self-actualization (Okasha, 2005). However, the greatest inequalities are often to be found within the borders of nation-states, rather than between underdeveloped and developed countries (Bhurga and Mastrogianni, 2004). The complex links between globalisation, health, and social and mental well-being are only now beginning to be explored, and researchers emphasise the need for a clearly defined research and policy agenda to respond to the challenges posed (Lee, 2000).