Mexico has a different psychological focus than other countries such as Canada. There is a primary focus on clinical psychology and less emphasis and perhaps opportunity in other areas of the field. Only 12% of educational institutions offer degrees in experimental psychology and only two schools currently offer a degree in psychophysiology. This seems to reflect the importance of community within Mexican culture. Today, the largest psychological demand in Mexico has been for industrial psychologists.

Psychologists studying in Mexico abide by a different educational system than those who study in the United States. First, students complete a 5-year bachelor's program that grants them licensure. They can then choose to complete a 2-3 year master's program. A doctoral degree would be an additional 2 years after receiving a master's degree. The master's program is generally meant for teaching purposes while the doctoral program focuses on research.

Sexton, V. S. & Hogan, J. D. (1992). International psychology: Views from around the world. University of Nebraska Press: USA.

Labels: Mexico

A conference was held this past June in Peru to try to bring traditional American medicine into addiction treatment in Peru. This seems like a major step toward integrating strengths of different health practices. The conference brought together traditional medicine practitioners, indigenous representatives, conventional medical representatives, academics, government representatives, and international organizations. Read more about the conference at http://www.takiwasi.com/congreso2009/indexing.html

Labels: Peru

In 2005, there were 213 reported suicides in Northern Ireland. "Suicide prevention is now a priority and is included in the Department's Public Service Agreement, in the Government's 'Priorities & Budget 2006-2008'" (p. 8). The Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan strives to decrease the suicide rate by raising awareness of mental health issues, developing an effective treatment system, improving support for bereaved families, and restrict access to means of carrying out suicide ("Suicide Prevention Strategy," 2006).

To read about the analysis of suicide and self-harm in Northern Ireland, click here http://www.mindingyourhead.com/uploads/phnisuicidepreventionstrategy_action_plan-3.pdf

Reference
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (2006). The Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan. Belfast.

Labels: Northern Ireland

Psychologists in both the West Bank and Gaza generally obtained their training in other countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Europe, or the United States. This is likely because there do not seem to be any graduate programs available, though The University of Gaza does offer some post-graduate courses. Research in this area has had a special focus on trauma and motivational factors behind suicide bombings which are fitting to the political situation (Costin, 2006).

Costin, A. (2006). Psychology in gaza and the west bank. The Psychologist, 19 (5), 282-283.

Labels: Israel and The West Bank

Sri Lanka has recently developed its first Psychological Association. Read more at http://www.apa.org/international/pi/1208-srilanka.html. Perhaps this is will allow psychology to establish itself as an independent discipline in Sri Lankan universities.

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Counseling psychology is a relatively new discipline in Peru which is why no professional counseling association is in existence as of yet. Because of the absence of a master's program in counseling at the local universities, psychologists require a 5-6 year doctoral degree to practice. Counselors who practice with a master's degree in Peru generally studied in the United States. The majority of counselors are employed in the educational setting and practice focuses more on prevention, crisis, and severe mental illness. This enforces the current stigma of counseling in Peru (Walsh, 2008).

Walsh, B. (Ed.).(2008). Biennial review of counseling psychology (vol. 1). USA: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

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Similar to other European countries, psychology was originally a philosophical discipline in Northern Ireland. The first professional psychology course in Northern Ireland was created in 1947 and thus psychology came later to Northern Ireland than to other countries. The education seems very comparable to that of the United States as many psychologists were trained in North America and Britain. However, students have the option between a 2-year master's degree and a 3-year training experience which will earn them a Diploma in Clinical Psychology.

Private practice is rare in Northern Ireland as most psychologists tend to work in general or psychiatric hospitals as well as community centers. Today, there are approximately 270 psychologists working in Northern Ireland.

Sexton, V. S. & Hogan, J. D. (1992). International psychology: View from around the world. USA: University of Nebraska Press.

Labels: Northern Ireland