Dr. Laurence Kirmayer

Biography

Laurence J. Kirmayer is a leading figure in transcultural psychiatry and currently serves as the James McGill Professor and Director of the Division of Social Transcultural Psychiatry at McGill University. He co-directs the Culture, Mind, Brain Program and is the Editor-in-Chief of Transcultural Psychiatry. Dr. Kirmayer's research emphasizes the importance of culturally responsive mental health services, particularly for immigrants, refugees, and Indigenous peoples. His work addresses issues such as the philosophical dimensions of psychiatry and cross-cultural understandings of mental health. He has founded initiatives like the Network for Aboriginal Mental Health Research and the annual Summer Program for Advanced Study in Cultural Psychiatry at McGill. His substantial contributions to the field include numerous publications on cultural consultation, pathways to mental health care, and protective factors for Indigenous youth. Kirmayer's current research projects focus on mental health promotion among Indigenous youth and the integration of ethnography with neuroscience in global mental health. As a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and past president of the Society for Psychological Anthropology, his academic endeavors reflect a commitment to advancing the understanding of culture in mental health.

Research Interests