EnglishPsychotherapy, Clinical Psychology & Counseling

World Mental Health Day 2021 featuring our Advances in Psychotherapy series

We invited a number of authors and the editor-in-chief of our book series Advances in Psychotherapy to speak about their experiences and suggestions concerning mental health in an unequal world for World Mental Health Day.

Why is this year’s theme “Mental Health in an Unequal World”?

“2020 highlighted inequalities due to race and ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, and the lack of respect for human rights in many countries, including for people living with mental health conditions. Such inequalities have an impact on people’s mental health.” – Professor Gabriel Ivbijaro MBE JP, WFMH Secretary General

For the full statement released on behalf of the Secretary General, click here.

What is the Advances in Psychotherapy – Evidence-Based Practice book series and why is it relevant to this year’s theme?

The series Advances in Psychotherapy - Evidence-Based Practice provides clinicians with practical, evidence-based guidance on the diagnosis and treatment of the most common disorders seen in clinical practice. The series deals with a range of disorders, of which many are relevant to mental health in an unequal world, whether it be about gambling, alcoholism, or childhood maltreatment to name a few. We also have upcoming books featuring transgender and gender diverse clients, substance use disorders, and bullying and peer victimization. All of these have some roots in inequality.

In our video below, editor-in-chief Dr. Danny Wedding, alongside Dr. Christine Wekerle and Dr. lore m. dickey discuss how their books are relevant to this years’ theme and how their book aimed to tackle these injustices.

About the authors

Danny Wedding, PhD, MPH

Saybrook University, Oakland, CA and the American University of the Caribbean, Cupecoy, Sint Maarten

Danny Wedding, PhD, MPH.  Danny trained as a clinical psychologist at the University of Hawaii, and then completed a postdoc at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. After retiring from the University of Missouri School of Medicine, he taught at Alliant International University, American University of Antigua, and the American University of the Caribbean. Danny is the author or editor of a dozen books, the former editor of PsycCRITIQUES (APA's journal of book and film reviews), and a Past President of the Society of Clinical Psychology.  Danny continues to write and consult from his home in West Linn, Oregon.

Christine Wekerle, PhD

Christine Wekerle, PhD, is Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Associate Member, Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, and is a facilitator for medical foundations courses at McMaster University. Dr. Wekerle has conducted research over the past 25 years into child maltreatment and related areas, particularly prevention of adolescent dating violence, trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Dr. Wekerle has developed a resilience app, JoyPop, showing improvements in depression and emotion regulation (youthresilience.net).

Richard McKeon

Richard T. McKeon, PhD, MPH, received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Arizona, and a master of public health degree in Health Administration from Columbia University. He has spent most of his career working in community mental health, including 11 years as director of a psychiatric emergency service and 4 years as associate administrator/clinical director of a hospitalbased community mental health center in Newton, New Jersey.

lore m. dickey

lore m. dickey, PhD, is licensed and board-certified counseling psychologist. His work in the field of psychology has included serving as a faculty member at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Most recently he was a behavioral health consultant at a federally qualified health center. Although lore is retired, he is actively engaged in writing and speaking about the lives trans people.