Mission

​Mental health literacy refers to the knowledge and understanding needed to assess mental health, and recognise mental distress and illness in order to request help and support. In South-East Asia, however, mental health literacy may remain limited due to cultural, social, and structural barriers in conducting mental health research. Moreover, mental health support might be scarce due to the low number of clinical practitioners and stigmatising attitudes towards mental health problems. 

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The "South-East Asia Mental Health Consortium" (SEAMHC), based at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, seeks to create a collaborative network of researchers, educators, healthcare professionals, and policymakers working together to identify best practices and plan public health initiatives to nurture mental health and reduce stigma associated with mental illness and distress, therefore improving access to mental health care for millions of people in South-East Asia.

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The SEAMHC mission aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal
(SDG) 3 "Good Health and Wellbeing", recognized internationally as a critical
component for building resilient communities.

 

Objectives

The main objectives of the SEAMHC are:

a) Identify and share best practices in mental health research across South-East Asian countries.
b) Develop culturally sensitive approaches to reduce stigma around mental distress and illness.
c) Promote public health initiatives nurturing mental health literacy and promoting access to mental health care across the region.
d) Support capacity-building activities for professionals involved in mental health education and policy development.
e) Facilitate long-term collaborations between academic and healthcare partners, both at regional and international level, to shape mental health policies and initiatives.

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On the long-term, work conducted within the SEAMHC will inform the development of targeted education and public health programs and policies aimed at improving mental health literacy and access to mental health care in South-East Asia.​

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Activities & Membership

We will foster multi-disciplinary, collaborative, and participatory research in several areas, including:

• Evidence synthesis (e.g., systematic reviews, meta-analyses, policy briefs) to identify effective interventions and initiatives that are valid either across countries or locally)

• Qualitative research (e.g., focus groups and interviews) to explore attitudes, beliefs, and stigma related to mental health in different socio-cultural contexts and countries

• Quantitative research (e.g., surveys and longitudinal datasets) to assess mental health outcomes (including mental health literaacty) in diverse and international samples.

• Involvement of lived experience expert in research activities and policymaking

 

SEAMHC members will have access to training, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities (including involvement in international and local funding proposals).

 

If you are interested in becoming a member of the SEAMHC, please consider registering for the next SEAMHC Summer School 2025 or get in touch via email.