Dr. Sanjay Rao on March 18, 2022

Taking care of our mental health is essential, no matter where we are in the world. In the more Western parts of the world, psychological interventions, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), are  effective in treating a wide range of common mental health problems (e.g., depression, anxiety,  post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.). However, the effectiveness of CBT as applied in other areas of the  world is much less discussed. Fortunately, there is some evidence from high–quality studies (e.g.,  systematic reviews, clinical trials) suggesting that CBT is linked to favourable mental health outcomes compared to other treatments in diverse contexts.    Cultural Adaptations in CBT     What is culturally adapting a treatment? It can be defined as modifying an evidence-based treatment to  consider the patient‘s cultural context. Interestingly, CBT can be adapted to different cultural contexts.  Several systematic reviews suggest that CBT’s effect on mental disorders is actually stronger when the  treatment is adapted to local cultural contexts. Further, cultural adaptions for treatment can take many  forms relevant to the local culture. For instance, questionnaires have been translated to local languages  and then tested to ensure fidelity to the original scale; more time can be taken to explain the techniques,  processes, and aims of CBT. Additionally, culturally appropriate stories and metaphors have been integrated  into the delivery of the CBT. In order to continue adapting CBT to more cultural contexts, it is of  primordial importance to develop a better understanding of how mental disorders are experienced and  expressed in various ways by the patient.     CBT delivery in low-and middle-income countries    Although CBT can be flexible to context, there are obstacles to CBT intervention delivery in low- and  middle-income countries (LMIC) where resource deprivation (such as fewer mental health professionals  available to deliver treatment) is disproportional. This is problematic given that unique sociocultural  factors in LMICs contribute to the increasing prevalence of mental health problems. Fortunately, it has  been found that local nurses, volunteers, university students, social workers, and students can be trained 

Dr. Sanjay Rao on October 10, 2021

Challenges and Silver Linings  It is 2021-And the world’s mental health has changed. It is important to reflect on how the last 2 years have reshaped, the field of mental health. None of us have seen a pandemic affecting all nations and people. The many deaths, disruptions, and incessant political battle lines have never been starker.

Dr. Sanjay Rao on May 12, 2020

In most societies’, mothers are the centre of the circle of life. One of the best ways to practice prevention of mental health problems is to improve mothers’ mental health. Anxiety and depression are more common in women compared to men but women live longer than men. During pregnancy and after child delivery, about 13%

Dr. Sanjay Rao on October 10, 2019

The World Mental Health Day on October 10 is a recognition of the global importance of mental health. What is the relevance for Canada? First: The slogan ‘1 in 5’ is not enough We need to move beyond this oversimplification. Imagine saying to people with heart problems that they have a ‘physical health problem’ in

Dr. Sanjay Rao on September 23, 2019

Since social situations are variable with multiple factors at play, focusing on the imagery cognitions gives us the specificity to design the treatment. This may be a reason cognitive therapy was superior to exposure treatment in this study. There are, of course, other components to the treatment model, which contribute to its effectiveness.

Kirstine Postma on April 25, 2019

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear of someone having experienced trauma? In current times, it is likely that one of the keywords popping up is ‘PTSD’.