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Thursday, December 13, 2012

PTSD and Depression in Postwar Libya

A really great illustration of the psychological pain that war and its aftermath can bring to the people who experience it firsthand. This article was just published today in BBC News Magazine, and sheds light on how the fighters and those who lost loved ones in the Libyan revolution are (barely) coping with their trauma. Of particular interest is the city of Misrata, where some of the revolution's bloodiest battles took place, and where there is a severe shortage of mental health professionals:


"Dr Khaled al Madani, head of the psychology department of Misrata University, has been trying to establish proper mental healthcare services in the city for more than a year.
He says at present there is only one part-time psychiatrist from Tripoli available to hold a regular but limited clinic in Misrata."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20629175

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Dr. Robert Gupta and the "Soloist"

Also listened to a TED talk by Dr. Robert Gupta who combines his love for music and mental health (posted on 10/2/12):

https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/tedtalks-audio/id160904630?mt=2

Description: "When Robert Gupta was caught between a career as a doctor and as a violinist, he realized his place was in the middle, with a bow in his hand and a sense of social justice in his heart. He tells a moving story of society’s marginalized and the power of music therapy, which can succeed where conventional medicine fails." (c/o iTunes, TED)

Vikram Patel & Mental Health in Developing Countries

I just listened to a great TED Talk by Vikram Patel posted on iTunes on 9/11/12:

 http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=160904630

Description: "Nearly 450 million people are affected by mental illness worldwide. In wealthy nations, just half receive appropriate care, but in developing countries, close to 90 percent go untreated because psychiatrists are in such short supply. Vikram Patel outlines a highly promising approach -- training members of communities to give mental health interventions, empowering ordinary people to care for others." (c/o iTunes and TED)