MGH McLean
Developed under the MGH Division of Public and Community Psychiatry, the MGH Chester M. Pierce, MD Division of Global Psychiatry, and McLean Hospital, the mission of the Community and Global Psychiatry Program (CGPP) is to inspire and support trainees interested in community and global mental health in the areas of service delivery, capacity building, education, research, and leadership, both domestically and internationally. We are focused on promoting and supporting trainees in developing a foundational understanding of the fields of community and global mental health, gaining the knowledge and skills to pursue community and/or global work in residency and their future careers, and the ability to incorporate these skills and understanding into their daily work both during training and beyond. We are invested in supporting the development of future leaders in psychiatry who apply a socioculturally sensitive lens to address health disparities and improve mental health access and equity of care domestically and globally.
The program is inspired by visionary leaders who came before us such as Dr. Chester M. Pierce, who wrote: “The nidus for working in international psychiatry is the endeavor to protect and improve the public health…The challenge before us is to mold a new sort of sub-specialist. Any person we send forth from the program should be, like Euripides, someone whose province is all of humankind. Such sub-specialists hold the promise of modifying the practice, research and education of all psychiatrists, in a manner congruent with the tone of the 21st Century.”
Primary mentors: Residents are paired with a mentor specializing in community or global psychiatry from MGH, McLean, other Harvard/MGB-affiliated institutions, or community-based organizations. These mentors provide guidance in community and global psychiatry training, project and rotation development, and career planning. Residents collaborate with their mentors during the planning stages, throughout project implementation, travel, and upon their return. Regular meetings with mentors are expected at least quarterly while in the program.
Semiannual Progress Meetings: Residents will meet with the Community and Global Psychiatry Program leadership semi-annually to discuss progress toward program and career goals.
Dinners at Faculty Homes: Approximately three times per year, the Community and Global Psychiatry Program (CGPP) hosts dinners at the homes of CGPP faculty members. These gatherings are open to all residents and faculty with an interest in community and global psychiatry, regardless of whether they are CGPP members.
The dinners provide a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded clinicians and researchers across multiple campuses. Each dinner features a relevant theme in global and community psychiatry, fostering meaningful discussions and collaborations in an informal and welcoming setting.
The Community and Global Psychiatry Program provides residents with a core didactic curriculum covering foundational topics in community and global mental health. These sessions are taught by expert psychiatry faculty and guest lecturers. Didactic meetings are generally held approximately once per month.
Example topics:
I value the opportunity to think deeply about the cultural context of mental health with the incredible mentors here and in other countries. Exploring how people around the world experience and understand their mental health enriches how I think about mental health diagnosis and service delivery.
So many of my mentors, supervisors, and colleagues at MGH/McLean have worked in communities domestically and internationally. And it’s amazing to benefit from their expertise as they help me shape my own career!
Residents must engage in a community or global project during their PGY3-4 years in the area of Service Delivery, Education and Training, or Research in collaboration with a community or global site. As part of project implementation, residents are encouraged to rotate either at a domestic or international site.
Project Timeline
PGY2 Year: Residents work with their community or global psychiatry mentor on selecting their project area focus (service delivery, education and training, or research) and geographic focus (domestic or international). They will then begin developing partner relationships at rotation sites (see below) and discuss a collaborative project that they will complete during their PGY3-4 years. While there is no travel during the PGY2 year, residents can select Community and Global Psychiatry as their PGY2 elective.
PGY3/4 Year: In the PGY3 year, residents will further the collaborative relationships with community or global site leadership and develop their project for the 1- to 2-month rotation at a domestic community or international site during the PGY4 year. Residents are expected to engage in a project at the site that contributes to the local agenda, such as capacity building, teaching, quality improvement, or research. Projects should focus on local acceptability, feasibility and sustainability and be guided by local leadership. Residents are encouraged to engage in existing ongoing projects at the local site but may be able to develop new projects under the guidance of the local site team and their mentor.
Example projects:
Core rotation sites: Residents can choose from a select number of core rotation sites for a 1- to 2- month rotation during their PGY4 year, as well as a potential 2-3 week rotation during their PGY3 year (as above). Alternatively, with the support of their mentor, residents can identify their own independent site if they have existing connections or a place they want to go.
PGY1 Elective: Residents can select from a 2- or 4-week Community and Global Psychiatry elective. Residents work locally with a community or global psychiatry mentor and engage in an existing project or begin development on a program project. PGY1 elective projects do not involve travel other than in exceptional circumstances.
Residents may apply at the beginning of their PGY2 or PGY3 year. Those who wish to join the CGPP during their PGY4 year may also apply but will have limited time to develop a project.
