Implementing culturally sensitive and sustainable mental health training programs internationally: lessons from Haiti

The increasing focus on mental health across the globe calls for guidance on how mental disorders manifest across different cultures and best practice models for addressing these issues from a cultural perspective. Additionally, in countries with limited resources and greater susceptibility to natural disasters, such as the case in Haiti, the call is even more urgent. This paper shares some guiding principles used to respond to the mental health needs in Haiti to ensure that the work is meaningful, sustainable, culturally sensitive, and culturally relevant. First, an overview of mental health issues and challenges in Haiti is provided, followed by a summary of each principle, which is illustrated with specific examples from the field.