Call for papers: Mental Health, Stigma & Neglected Tropical Diseases supplement

News | January 30, 2023

Call for papers this World NTD Day!

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) result not only in physical impairment and disabilities but are associated with substantial comorbidity with mental health conditions frequently driven by social stigma and exclusion. While recognized in clinical practice, the research underpinning effective intervention has been lacking, and policy frameworks have historically neglected this area. However, in recent years there has been substantial interest in this intersection, and the importance of integration of mental health in the wider NTD sector has been increasingly recognized. The WHO Road Map for NTDs 2021-2030 represented a paradigm shift in global normative frameworks that recognized the importance of integrated policy perspectives and addressing holistic needs in national programming. WHO guidance published the same year – Mental health of people with NTDs; towards a person-centred approach – reinforces this focus.

These advances in the field have been informed by an exciting increase in research efforts, and this Supplement to International Health journal seeks to bring together this research, to help facilitate the translation of learning to practice and policy uptake. The aim of the supplement is to reflect on achievements and challenges to date, to collate current research and learning in mental health, stigma, and NTDs, and to outline ambitions for policy engagement to drive further progress in the field. We are particularly interested in the following:

  1. Papers that prioritise the views and experiences of people affected by NTDs.
  2. Papers that consider the viewpoints of national programmes and delivery partners in responding to mental health, social stigma and exclusion in partnership with people affected by NTDs
  3. Papers that focus on the application or development of interventions to support the mental wellbeing of people affected by NTDs and address social stigma and exclusion.
  4. Papers that consider the intersection of mental health, social stigma, and exclusion and how broader social and structural drivers shape these.

Authors should follow the Instructions for Authors regarding the manuscript format requested by International Health, as described on the journal website at https://academic.oup.com/inthealth/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their manuscript through the Editorial Manager submission website at https://www.editorialmanager.com/inthealth/default2.aspx

As usual, all submitted articles are subject to the peer-review process, and only articles that pass peer review will be accepted for publication. We particularly welcome papers authored by contributors from low-and middle-income settings.

Guest Editor: Julian Eaton, CBM Global Disability Inclusion and The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Guest Editorial Team members: 

  • Ashok Agarwal, NLR India
  • Bahadir Celiktemur, TLM England and Wales
  • Laura Dean, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
  • Danny Haddad, CBM Global
  • Samhita Kumar, The Carter Center
  • Taiwo Obindo, University of Jos
  • Delphine Pedeboy, France
  • Zoica Pereira, Brazil (TBC)
  • Jayashree PK, India
  • Maya Semrau, Brighton and Sussex Medical School
  • Paul Tsaku, TLM Nigeria

The deadline for submissions is 30 April 2023, with the expected publication date to be September/October 2023. Informal enquiries can be sent to the Guest Editor, Julian Eaton (julian.eaton@cbm-global.org); queries relating to the online submission system should be sent to RSTMH Managing Editor, Thomas Pinfield (thomas.pinfield@rstmh.org).

Back to News

Related News

New guide strengthens voices of organisations of persons with psychosocial disabilities

On 28th February, the CBM Global Community Mental Health...

Disability Data Reports and Key Findings

In 2020, CBM Global, in partnership with the International Disability Alliance and the UN Stakeholder Group of Persons with...

Inclusive, holistic & person-centred: Our NTD work in Nigeria

Collaborating with our partner HANDS, we are actively engaged...