Addressing a Worldwide Need with the GACE Model

A component of the challenges in global mental health is the scarcity of trained professionals with a deep understanding in human behavior to provide resources that may alleviate many issues facing communities worldwide.  Many countries, such as Rwanda, have a severe inequity of mental health counselors and resources in comparison to the years of violence, crises, and government upheaval.  In countries facing similar challenges as Rwanda, shortages of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, psychologists and social workers are among the main barriers in providing treatment and care in low-and middle-income countries.  The GACE model in distance education with on-the-ground training is expanding efforts to meet the needs of communities like Rwanda and provide the needed resources to improve human quality of life – with both positive mental and physical effects.

Learn more about the expanding efforts of GACE in countries like Rwanda.

What specific mental health issues are most in need of support through the GACE model?

• Scarcity of mental health practitioners
  • Low income countries have .05 psychiatrists and .42 nurses per 100,000 people.
  • The rate of psychiatrists in high income countries is 170 times greater.
  • The rate of nurses in high income countries is 70 times greater.
• Lack of infrastructure and data
  • Countries like China and India are in need of standardized professional training for typical needs such as depression and anxiety.
  • Many countries like China and India rely heavily on non-empirical or non-evidence based treatments that may be counterproductive or even harmful to community members.
• Outdated practices
  • In rural India a folk practice used when an individual reports hearing voices is to puncture the eardrum.
  • Some countries, such as Argentina, predominantly use psychoanalytic treatments.

The dire need for a wider understanding of human behavior, more counseling resources, increased mental health issue treatment options and techniques is abundantly clear.  The GACE model uses a hands-on approach to promulgate the highest standards in expertise from PAU instructors. By partnering with communities, the GACE program is addressing the highest need for mental health resources world-wide.

Learn more about GACE efforts

• Founder, Dr. William Froming
  wfroming@paloaltou.edu

• China Outreach, Dr. Hui-Qi Tong
  htong@paloaltou.edu

• India, Dr. William Froming
  wfroming@paloaltou.edu

Learn more about the work of GACE program leaders.