Geopsychiatry and geography: A response

Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2024 Feb;70(1):80-86. doi: 10.1177/00207640231195289. Epub 2023 Oct 16.

Abstract

Background: This contribution responds to three articles (we refer to all three as 'editorials') concerning something called 'geopsychiatry'.

Aims: To evaluate claims made in these editorials for 'geopsychiatry' as a new field of inquiry at the interface between geography and psychiatry.

Method: Close critical reading of two editorials in the International Journal of Social Psychiatry - entitled 'Geographical determinants of mental health' and 'Political determinants of mental health' - and one in the International Review of Psychiatry - entitled 'What is geopsychiatry?'

Results: While this geopsychiatry initiative is to be applauded, disquiet can be expressed about the almost complete neglect of a pre-existing domain of inquiry - 'mental health geography' or 'the geography of mental health' - that has long been researched by academic geographers and cognate scholars. Key trajectories in this field can be identified and related to the proposed foci for geopsychiatry.

Conclusions: The hope is voiced that future developments in geopsychiatry will proceed in dialogue with the literature and practitioners of mental health geography.

Keywords: Mental health geography; geography of mental health; geopolitics; geopsychiatry; interdisciplinarity.

MeSH terms

  • Geography
  • Humans
  • Mental Health*
  • Psychiatry*