Lab News

Trauma publication

A publication on Improving access to Evidence-based interventions for Trauma-exposed adults in low- and middle-income countries

March 17, 2024

In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the toll of trauma on mental health is immense, yet access to evidence-based interventions remains scarce. Our latest article, inspired by an International Society for Traumatic Stress briefing paper, delves into the urgent need to address this treatment gap. We explore the barriers hindering access to effective mental health care for trauma-exposed adults in LMICs and propose innovative strategies to overcome these challenges. From task-sharing initiatives to culturally adapted interventions and digital solutions, we uncover...

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PEERS Publication

A Publication on Formative Study of PEERS Smartphone App for Supervision in Rural India

March 1, 2024

This study introduces PEERS (Promoting Effective mental healthcare through peER Supervision), a smartphone app designed to enhance the quality of behavioral activation treatment for depression by frontline providers. Developed and launched in 2022, PEERS facilitates patient registration, outcome tracking, therapy rating, and supervision assessment. Training 215 providers in India, we assessed PEERS' acceptability and feasibility, finding positive reception but noting challenges with technology. Insights suggest PEERS' potential to scale measurement-based peer supervision...

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ACAMH awards

The PRIDE program, led by Dr. Patel received a Highly Commended award at the recent ACAMH awards

November 10, 2023

PRIDE (PRemIum for aDolEscents) was a five-year research program that worked on developing psychosocial interventions for school-going adolescents aged 11-19 years with mental health problems in India. The study showed how a very low cost psychological intervention can be delivered by counselors with no prior mental health training to students. The findings of the study were published in the Lancet Child Adolescent Health.

PRIDE program received a Highly Commended award at the recent Association of Child and Adolescent Mental Health...

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democratizing_access

A Publication promoting the Democratization of Access to Psychological Therapies: Innovations and the Role of Psychologists

October 5, 2023

This paper delves into a pressing issue: the limited availability of psychological therapies and the multitude of obstacles that hinder people from accessing them. These barriers include economic, geographical, and racial disparities that perpetuate inequities in care. The publication also sheds light on the longstanding reliance on intricate treatment protocols and the exclusive emphasis on specialized providers, which results in extensive, expensive training and inconsistent service quality. Unlike medication, there's no financial incentive to promote psychological...

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suicide_rates_in_indigenous_people_in_brazil_study

A Recent Publication on Alarming Rates of Suicide Among Indigenous People in Brazil From 2000 to 2020

September 15, 2023
The 21-year long ecological study reported a two and a half times increase in the levels of suicide among Indigenous Brazilians as opposed to the overall Brazilian population in 2020. Additionally, the younger age group (10–24 years old) had the highest suicide rates for all the years studied. The study reinforces the need for specific prevention strategies for these populations.
The Week Interview

Dr. Vikram Patel's Exclusive Interview with The Week about Advancing Global Health Equity & Medical Research

August 29, 2023
Discover illuminating insights from Dr. Vikram Patel, renowned Pershing Square Professor of Global Health, in his recent interview with The Week. As the incoming chair of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Patel discusses pressing issues, from forging partnerships with historically marginalized institutions to revolutionizing medical education for a more equitable future. Gain a fresh perspective on decolonization, collaborative partnerships, and innovative research as Dr. Patel shares his vision for reshaping global healthcare. Explore the interview that delves... Read more about Dr. Vikram Patel's Exclusive Interview with The Week about Advancing Global Health Equity & Medical Research
Transforming Global Mental Health Systems

Dr. Patel & Kathryn O’Neill, MPH, and team spotlight Global Mental Health Systems Transformation in The Lancet Health Policy

August 19, 2023
We're excited to share that Dr. Patel and Kathryn O’Neill, MPH, in collaboration with their esteemed colleagues, published an impactful article in The Lancet Health Policy. Their contribution questions conventional diagnostic-centered approaches, and promotes proactive, community-driven tactics in confronting the worldwide mental health challenge. By presenting innovative principles and practical policy suggestions, they chart a revolutionary course ahead, underlining the importance of inclusiveness and accountability. This achievement resonates with our unwavering dedication to spearheading... Read more about Dr. Patel & Kathryn O’Neill, MPH, and team spotlight Global Mental Health Systems Transformation in The Lancet Health Policy
AKU Fellowship3

Call for applications: Global Mental Health Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harvard Medical School and Aga Khan University

December 16, 2022

The HMS Department of Global Health and Social Medicine is pleased to announce an opening for two postdoctoral fellows in global mental health, starting September 1, 2023. This fellowship is co-sponsored by Harvard Medical School and the Aga Khan University and seeks candidates who are committed to improving mental health care in the geographies served by AKU, i.e., East Africa and South and Central Asia. Applicants may be citizens of the U.S. or other countries. They should have a doctoral degree and experience publishing research papers. Application deadline...

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Anushka's photo3

Dr. Anushka Patel awarded the APA-IUPSYS Global Mental Health Fellowship

October 21, 2022

Dr. Anushka Patel, PhD, a clinical psychologist and current postdoctoral fellow in the Lab, has been awarded the APA-IUPSYS Global Mental Health Fellowship. Through this fellowship, she will spend one year working at the World Health Organization, collaborating with Dr. Ken Carswell on the scaling up and implementation of Guided Self-Help Plus, among other projects.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Patel on this...

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