February 6, 2019.

Human health should be considered through a mind and body (psychosomatic), holistic approach with an effort to prevent illnesses while providing equitable, accessible and quality care for those already touched by a disease. Yet, mental health is often limited or unavailable to some populations. MaKenzie Peterson, Wellness Program Director at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, spoke to the Cornell University Master of Public Health (MPH), class of 2020 cohort, on January 29^th, 2019, to help us further understand the issue at hand. Her topic was titled “Addressing Mental Health in Public Health”. Her presentation was thorough, covering the prevalence of mental illnesses, the history of mental health treatment, stigma around mental health, barriers to access and gaps in the assessment of the issue.

Understanding the challenges and limitations of current mental health treatment along with the increasing prevalence of mental illness allows us to develop improved early prevention and intervention methods through the “One Health” paradigm to address and help reduce the significance of the public and global health issue of mental health.

This exposé was written by Christina Hanna, a student in Cornell’s MPH Program with a concentration in Infectious Disease Epidemiology. Previously, Christina earned a BS degree in Neuroscience from the University of California, Riverside. Following completion of the MPH program, Christina will pursue a dual MD/PhD program in Medicine and Global Health.

                      Christina Hanna

Cornell University MPH Candidate, 2020.