Mental health issues are among the leading causes of disability world-wide and according to the World Health Organization depression will emerge as the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years by 2030. Despite growing recognition and documentation of the burdens mental health issues and comorbid disorders place on individuals, caregivers, and communities, there remain large global disparities in access to resources and delivery of effective mental health care. This course will survey the evolution of and current approaches to mental healthcare across a wide range of contexts with a particular focus on low and middle income countries. Readings will draw from studies and policy reports examining mental health programs, barriers to implementation, and the ways in which socioeconomic, social and contextual factors, disproportionately affect low-resource settings.