Igoumenou, Artemis;
Chrysikou, Evangelia;
(2025)
Healthcare Behind Bars and Peace: Building a Comprehensive Ecosystem of Care for Forensic Mental Health Along the Silk Road.
Presented at: The 8th International Symposium on Silk Road Academic Studies, Niğde, Türkiye.
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Abstract
Peace and individual well-being are deeply interconnected. Yet, achieving well-being remains a significant challenge for those on the margins of society—especially individuals with mental illness who have offended or are at risk of offending. Among the most vulnerable and stigmatized populations, forensic psychiatric patients often live without access to adequate care or social support. Their needs are amplified in countries along the historic Silk Road, where political, social, and environmental instabilities often hinder systemic responses to mental health. Inspired by the Silk Road's enduring legacy of connection, prosperity, and peace, this presentation reimagines it as a framework for international collaboration and mutual support in forensic mental health care. We explore how countries along this route can collectively address the gaps in mental health infrastructure and promote cross-border cooperation to protect the rights and health of this overlooked population. In 2024, we hosted a British Academy-funded conference that brought together experts from the social sciences, health disciplines, and the built environment to examine the biopsychosocial dynamics of incarceration and forensic psychiatric care. Through co-productive workshops and interdisciplinary dialogue, we examined how prison and forensic environments can support—not just contain—those within them, promoting both public safety and individual rehabilitation. Our findings revealed that nations with well-developed healthcare and social systems see positive outcomes: lower reoffending rates, reduced incarceration, and successful reintegration of individuals into society. However, in many Silk Road countries, especially in parts of the Middle East, South and Eastern Europe, and Africa, such systems remain underdeveloped or culturally mismatched. There is a pressing need for collaborative research, shared knowledge, and the development of locally relevant care models. In this presentation, we will discuss the strengths and limitations of existing care models and how eco-psychosocial approaches can reduce stigma, promote peace, and uphold human rights. Special attention will be given to areas facing instability, where tailored interventions are most urgently needed. We invite scholars and policymakers across the Silk Road region to join us in shaping an inclusive, evidence-based, and culturally sensitive ecosystem for forensic mental healthcare—an essential step toward global peace and shared prosperity.
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