2025 Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Mental health disparities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are driven by systemic inequities, limited access to care, and pervasive stigma. This is evident in Bungoma County, Kenya, where in 2023, one psychiatrist served over 1.6 million people, and 78.2% of residents experienced a psychotic or mood disorder in their lifetime (Kisiang’ani et al., 2023). Despite this prevalence, access to consistent treatment and medications remains limited, leaving families to take on caregiving roles without adequate resources or support. The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the need for accessible, community-based mental health solutions to bridge these gaps, particularly in underserved regions.
The Bungoma Project, a collaboration between Bungoma Health Link, Wayne State University, and Global Action 4 Mental Health, illustrates the application of counseling psychology principles to systemic mental health challenges. Currently in the preparatory phase, the project involves extensive literature reviews, theoretical analysis, and ecological mapping to adapt the Clubhouse model of psychosocial rehabilitation to the sociocultural context of Bungoma County. The initiative applies social practice theory to develop scalable and culturally sensitive strategies that strengthen families and communities as active partners in care.
By centering community engagement and systemic transformation, the Bungoma Project demonstrates actionable pathways for addressing mental health disparities in LMICs. Its theoretical foundations and vision for future phases highlight the potential for participatory and sustainable mental health solutions that reflect counseling psychology’s commitment to global mental health equity and social justice.
Start Date
3-22-2025 3:30 PM
End Date
3-22-2025 4:20 PM
Location
Community Arts Auditorium Outer Gallery
Counseling Psychology in Action: Community-Rooted Solutions for Mental Health Equity in LMICs
Community Arts Auditorium Outer Gallery
Mental health disparities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are driven by systemic inequities, limited access to care, and pervasive stigma. This is evident in Bungoma County, Kenya, where in 2023, one psychiatrist served over 1.6 million people, and 78.2% of residents experienced a psychotic or mood disorder in their lifetime (Kisiang’ani et al., 2023). Despite this prevalence, access to consistent treatment and medications remains limited, leaving families to take on caregiving roles without adequate resources or support. The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the need for accessible, community-based mental health solutions to bridge these gaps, particularly in underserved regions.
The Bungoma Project, a collaboration between Bungoma Health Link, Wayne State University, and Global Action 4 Mental Health, illustrates the application of counseling psychology principles to systemic mental health challenges. Currently in the preparatory phase, the project involves extensive literature reviews, theoretical analysis, and ecological mapping to adapt the Clubhouse model of psychosocial rehabilitation to the sociocultural context of Bungoma County. The initiative applies social practice theory to develop scalable and culturally sensitive strategies that strengthen families and communities as active partners in care.
By centering community engagement and systemic transformation, the Bungoma Project demonstrates actionable pathways for addressing mental health disparities in LMICs. Its theoretical foundations and vision for future phases highlight the potential for participatory and sustainable mental health solutions that reflect counseling psychology’s commitment to global mental health equity and social justice.