Recognising values and engaging communities across cultures: Building a robust foundation for global mental health

Senior Research Scientist PILL, and Director Manchester Global Foundation, Dr Rakhshi Memon delivered a talk at the the Learning Through Play Plus (LTP Plus) Symposium on Aug 14th at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, Canada. She addressed diversity across cultural values and how embracing differences can support research of high ethical standards. She emphasised that while promoting collaborative research, it is essential to bridge the gap to understand beliefs, norms, and values of local communities specifically in LMICs. Dr Memon remarked that we must ensure researchers are better equipped to engage with communities to facilitate research practices deeply rooted in strong ethical codes of conduct. She also talked about our established groups, Global Ethics Learning Hub (GELH) and Community Engagement and Involvement Group (CEIG). These groups aim to set up an infrastructure of ethical good practice and participatory approaches which are harmonious and responsive to the cultural norms of Pakistan, and serves as a vehicle of cascading learning internally within the organisation and externally in Pakistan with an long-term goal of global dissemination.