Friday Morning Seminar in Culture, Psychiatry and Global Mental Health

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Date and Time

February 13, 2026
10:00AM - 12:00PM EST
Attend this event via Zoom

Mental Health Care for the Unhoused in Boston: Challenges and Solutions

Few populations bear a greater psychiatric burden than the homeless population. In this seminar, we will illustrate the landscape of inequities faced by individuals experiencing homelessness. We will describe innovative models of mental health care to reach and treat these individuals, such as “street psychiatry.” Finally, we will discuss re-entry initiatives for individuals about to release from incarceration as an approach to mitigate homelessness for people at risk. The session grows out of the work of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, describes the team’s experiences providing mental health care for the unhoused of Boston, the deep links among incarceration, homelessness, and mental illness, and challenges emerging from increased criminalization and involuntary commitment of people experiencing homelessness.

Speakers

  • Katherine Koh, psychiatrist, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program and Massachusetts General Hospital; Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School.
  • Margaret (Maggie) Sullivan, Instructor and Director, François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University.
  • Neal Chaudhuri, Manager of Re-entry Services, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program.

Contact

Byron Good
byron_good@hms.harvard.edu

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Valuing Accessibility

The Weatherhead Center for International Affairs welcomes individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the access provided, please get in touch with the person listed as the contact on the individual event listing in advance of your participation or visit. Requests for Sign Language interpreters and/or CART providers should be made at least two weeks in advance, if possible. Please note that the Weatherhead Center will make every effort to secure services, but that services are subject to availability.