Qualifications
MPhil -Psychiatric Social Work, MSW- Medical & Psychiatric Social Work
- Working in the field since 2007
- Languages known: English, Hindi, Malayalam & Tamil
Countries worked/Lived
India, Jordan, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Libya, Tunisia, South Sudan & UAE
About Mathew Kunnath John
Mathew is a clinical/psychiatric social worker from India. In his previous role, he worked as a mental health activity manager at Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Holland.
Mathew Kunnath John possesses diverse mental health expertise cultivated through his work at renowned institutions such as the Central Institute of Psychiatry in Ranchi, India, and Christian Medical College in Vellore, India, as well as his extensive experience with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders).
He served as a Mental Health Activity Manager at MSF Holland, an international, independent medical humanitarian organization providing emergency aid in over 70 countries to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, and healthcare exclusion, a commitment recognized with the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace and the Nobel Peace Prize.
Beyond clinical psychiatry, Mathew’s experience encompasses mental health interventions for individuals with other medical conditions and supporting those impacted by war, disaster, poverty, migration, and displacement, addressing the mental health needs of diverse populations across six countries through collaborations with governmental and non-governmental organizations, including psychiatric hospitals, medical colleges, and community organizations.
Publications
1. “Explanatory model of mental illness and treatment-seeking behavior among caregivers of patients with mental illness: Evidence from eastern India”. Lilhare VK, Pathak A, Mathew KJ, Subudhi C. (2020). Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry.;36:327-32
2.“Psychological Distress & Geriatric Population in Indian Context” Patak Abhijith & Mathew KJ (2019). In book: Ageing in India: Present Situation & Future Perspectives. Publisher: Manas Publishers & Distributors
3. “Role of Family in Addictive Disorders”. Mathew KJ, Regmi B & Lama LD. (2018) International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation. Vol 22 (1) 65-75
4.“Need for care to caregivers: Psychological distress and its socio demographic correlates among the relatives of persons with mental illness”. Pathak A & Mathew KJ. (2017). International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation. Vol 21 (2) 31
5.“Community Perceptions of Mental Illness in Jharkhand, India”. Sangeeta. S.J., & Mathew. K.J East Asian Archives of Psychiatry 2017;27:97-105
6. “Helping Families of Persons with Mental Illness: Role of Psychiatric Social Work”. Mathew K J, Sharma S, Bhattacharjee D. Indian Journal of Psychiatric Social Work. 2017: 8 (2): (ISSN: 0302-1610).
7.“Behavioral problems in preschoolers”. Simlai, J., Rai, S., Khess, C.R.J., Mathew. K.J. (2017). In Vyas, J.N., Khess , C.R.J., Simlai, J., Bohra, N., Behere, P.B., Sharma, I., Bohra, N. K., Ghimire, S.R. (Eds). Textbook of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 1st/2017. Paras Medical Publisher
8. “Risk of Psychological Distress among Individuals Living with a Mentally Ill Person: A Study from a Backward State of India and its Implications”. Mathew, K.J., Pathak, A., Rai, S., Sangeeta, S.J. Online Journal of Health and Allied Sciences. 2016;15(4):6. (ISSN 0972- 5997).
9. “Evolution of Altruism in Humans”. Mathew. K.J., Deepa, P.S., Karthick. S., Sakshi Rai. (2016). International Journal of Social Science & Interdisciplinary Research. Vol. 5 (12), December (2016), Pp. 45-65 (ISSN 2277-3630)
10. “Psychosocial Assessment for Community Based Psychiatric Rehabilitation: A Practice Oriented Approach”. Mathew KJ & Rai S. International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation. (2015) Vol 19(2) 83-95. (ISSN -1475-7192)
11. “Parenting Characteristics of Families of Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder”. Mathew. K. J., Vinod Kumar Sinha., Deepanjan Bhattacharjee., Sakshi Rai. The International Journal of Indian Psychology. 2015 (9), 165 176.( ISSN -2348-5396)
12. “Psychological mindedness: An overview”. Sakshi Rai, Vikas Punia, Sunayana Choudhury and Mathew. K. J. Indian Journal of Positive Psychology. 2015 volume 6(1). 127-132. (ISSNp- 2229- 4937e-2321 368X)
13. “Mental health promotion in India: a critical analysis”. Rai A.K., Mathew K.J., Bhattacharjee D. International Journal of Health Sciences & Research. 2014; 4 (9):296-307. (ISSN: 2249- 9571)
14. “Folie à deux mixed dissociative disorder – A case report”. Sai Krishna Tikka, Nishant Goyal, Deyashini Lahiri Tikka, Vinod Kumar Sinha, Mathew. K.J, Sakshi Rai. Asian Journal of Psychiatry. 2013 Dec; 6(6):629-30. Doi: 0.1016/j.ajp.2013.07.008. (ISSN- 1876-2018)
15. “Family functioning in adolescent bipolar disorder”. Mathew, K.J., Vinod Kumar Sinha, Deepanjan Bhattacharya, Sujith Sarkel. Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry 2009, 25(3-4), 111-115. (ISSN- 0971- 9962)
