ABSTRACT

Geographically and demographically Asia is a huge region with a large number of societies and cultures, each affected by their own unique problems including over-population, major natural disasters, poverty and changing social and economic factors. Inevitably this means that different mental health needs have developed across the region. Colonialism, globalization, industrialization and urbanization have brought major demographic and cultural shifts in the region but clinical mental health practices and services and societal attitudes to mental health issues vary enormously.

This handbook surveys the state of the current psychiatric care field across the whole Asia-Pacific region. Focusing on individual countries, each chapter will include:

  • A summary of factors affecting the practice and provision of psychiatric care, including cultural attitudes to mental health issues
  • Coverage of the conceptualisation, causation and prevalence of mental health issues in society
  • An overview of mental health care services and systems available and workforce training
  • Coverage of country specific innovative practices and folk therapies

As the first major reference work on psychiatric care in Asia this book is an essential resource for scholars and students researching mental health in Asia as well as psychiatrists and other mental health professionals working in the region.

Preface  

Part 1: Russia and Central Asia

Overview: Psychiatry in Russia and Central Asia

1. The Republic of Kazakhstan

2. Kyrgyz Republic: In Between the Soviet Past and a Vague Future

3. Russian Federation

4. The Republic of Uzbekistan

Part 2: Indian Subcontinent

Overview: Diversity in Unity and Adversity

5. Bangladesh

6. Bhutan

7. India: Epidemiology, Services and Health Systems

8. India: Training and Explanatory Models

9. Nepal

10. Pakistan 

11. Sri Lanka

Part 3: Greater China

Overview

12. China

13. Taiwan

4. Hong Kong

Part 4: Far East

Overview

15. Japan

16. South Korea

17. North Korea

Part 5: South East, Philippines and Indonesia

Overview

18. Indonesia

19. Malaysia

20. Philippines

21. Singapore

Part 6: Thailand and Nearby Countries

Overview

22. Cambodia

23. Lao People’s Democratic Republic

24. Myanmar

25. Thailand 

26. Vietnam