Contemporary Topics in Women’s Mental Health considers both mental health and psychiatric disorders in relation to social, cultural and economic changes, from a distinctive global and multicultural perspective. It features contributions from an impressive collection of international experts relevant to people working around the world in different settings. The Editors are authorities in women’s mental health in their respective geographic regions and bring to the book their field experience and wisdom on critical issues.
The book gives due importance to recent advances in the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders, reproductive health and psychopharmacology but above all demonstrates that women’s mental health and psychiatric disorders cannot be divorced from social, cultural and political realities. It recognises the impact of rapid social change and stresses such as migration, war and violence, as these have severe effects on women, especially those caring for children and families.
Specific sections address reproductive health, the impact of changes and life challenges, service delivery and ethics, and social policies that affect women’s mental health. There are important chapters exploring pregnancy and the postpartum period, the consequences of female genital mutilation, and migration and mental health in women. There is also a chapter capturing experiential stories of women with mental illness from different countries and contexts. Each section is introduced by a commentary from the Editors highlighting key questions.
Contemporary Topics in Women’s Mental Health is important reading for psychiatrists, as well as postgraduates, researchers and policy makers concerned with mental health. This is a book that looks at women’s mental health from a fresh and exciting perspective that will appeal to people around the globe.
