Lab Researcher Spotlight: Daiane Borges Machado
Meet Daiane Machado, a passionate researcher whose journey has crossed both borders and disciplines. From a small town in northeastern Brazil, she pursued Psychology in the capital before moving to the U.S. to learn English—though she became fluent in Spanish instead! After studying in Brazil, she volunteered with Psychologists Without Borders in Argentina. Her dedication to mastering English took her to the UK, where she later returned to Brazil to pursue a Master's degree. Back in Brazil, Daiane completed her Masters degree and moved again to the UK to do her PhD, and now she contributes to groundbreaking research with the NIH. Suffice it to say, Daiane is both a traveler and an academic at heart, now dedicating her time to advancing mental health research and addressing global health disparities.
Let’s hear from Daiane herself on her career motivations, work in the field of mental health, and advice for the next generation of researchers, in her own words.
Q&A With Daiane Machado
Path, Projects, and Impact of Mental Health Research
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in mental health research?
The desire to impact more people was my main motivation. While working as a clinical psychologist in Brazil, I realized that although this was valuable work, I wanted to contribute to something larger than helping individuals one by one. In 2006, I started researching ways to approach mental health from a more global, epidemiological perspective, and came across the work of Vikram Patel. His research and methods greatly inspired me, and nearly a decade later, I met him at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), where I did my PhD. Other influential figures in my journey have been Professor Davide Rasella and Professor Maurício Barreto, whose work in Brazil has made a huge impact.
Q: What is your current role at the Mental Health For All Lab?
I am leading an R01 project, which focuses on the impact of social drivers and conditional cash transfers on the mental health of young people in Brazil. We’re using a retrospective and forecasting approach to investigate the Brazilian population. Some key areas we are studying include maternal mental health, the mental health of sexual and racial minorities, gender differences, and how social drivers influence mental health outcomes. I’m especially focused on offering insights to policymakers to help them understand how these factors are affecting mental health outcomes in Brazil.
Q: Can you give us an overview of your current research projects?
My current research has four main objectives: investigating the social determinants of mental health and suicide in Brazil, evaluating the Bolsa Família Program (BFP) to understand its impact on psychiatric disorders and suicide, and exploring how socioeconomic and contextual factors influence mental health, especially in vulnerable populations like sexual minorities. We are using methodologies such as propensity score matching, survival analysis, structural equation modeling, and forecasting to uncover how these factors are interconnected.
Q: What are some key findings from your recent studies?
Our studies have shown that suicide rates continue to rise in Brazil, particularly among the country’s most vulnerable populations, such as Indigenous peoples, those with lower education levels, and the elderly. Indigenous people are more likely to die by suicide but are less likely to be hospitalized for mental health issues. Another key finding is that having a family member who died by suicide increases one's own risk fourfold, which is double the risk seen in high-income countries. Additionally, violence is the most significant risk factor for psychiatric hospitalizations among young people in Brazil, and maternal mental health issues are linked to adverse birth outcomes. On a more positive note, the Bolsa Família Program has been associated with a reduction in suicides and hospitalizations due to alcohol and drug abuse, particularly in populations with severe psychiatric disorders.
Q: How does your research contribute to the lab's mission of advancing mental health equity?
My research aligns with the lab’s mission by focusing on the mental health needs of Brazil’s most vulnerable populations. By shedding light on rising suicide rates and the impact of violence on youth, we are helping to advocate for targeted interventions. Our findings on the Bolsa Família Program’s positive effects on mental health provide crucial evidence for policymakers to design more equitable mental health care policies and programs that address social inequalities.
Innovation and Impact
Q: What innovative approaches or technologies are you utilizing in your research?
We are leveraging real-world data by linking multiple countrywide datasets, which is a unique capability in Brazil. This allows us to conduct comprehensive epidemiological studies and gain valuable insights that can inform more effective mental health policies and interventions.
Q: How do you ensure that your research findings are translated into practical interventions?
In addition to publishing in international journals, we present our findings at global conferences and summits, such as the Global Mental Health Summit and the International Association for Suicide Prevention. We also engage with policymakers and community leaders, such as our ongoing collaboration with a school in Brazil to create a document that will be delivered to the Brazilian government, ensuring our research leads to real-world impact.
Q: Can you share a success story where your research has made a tangible difference?
One of the most tangible impacts of our research is our contribution to the global discussion on the sustainability of the Bolsa Família Program (BFP). Although the program is often debated along political lines, our research consistently shows its positive impact on mental health, moving the conversation from political ideology to human rights. By providing data-backed evidence, we’ve helped advocate for the continuation of programs like BFP that improve both mental health and overall well-being in Brazil.
Challenges and Opportunities
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your research?
One of the most challenging aspects has been leading a team for the first time. While it’s exciting to work towards common goals, managing deadlines and dealing with personal events within the team can be quite demanding. Additionally, recruiting participants and securing funding are ongoing challenges, and as a team leader, I feel a deep sense of responsibility for both the people I work with and the funds we need to continue our research.
Q: What opportunities do you see for future research in mental health?
There’s a significant gap in mental health research, especially in the Americas and Africa. We need more epidemiological studies focused on these regions so that we can develop guidelines based on local realities, rather than adapting those from high-income countries. Investing in research in these underserved areas is crucial to advancing global mental health.
Personal Insights
Q: What keeps you motivated in your research work?
During my time as a trainee psychologist in a youth detention center in Brazil, I felt like I was standing in the ocean, trying to stop the waves with my arms outstretched. I quickly realized that many of the issues these young people faced were deeply rooted in socioeconomic challenges, and the government seemed to expect that psychologists alone could solve them. Our research now shows how powerful socioeconomic factors, like cash transfers, can improve mental health. Seeing this in the data validates my early experiences and fuels my commitment to this work.
Q: How do you balance your research with other professional or personal commitments?
I’ll be honest, I haven’t been very successful in this area yet. Research is time-consuming, and we are constantly under pressure to produce more. I often end up working weekends and mixing personal and professional time. My goal is to set fixed work hours, but I’m still working on finding that balance.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring mental health researchers?
Do it out of love. Mental health research may not always be financially rewarding or offer the best work-life balance, but it can be incredibly fulfilling. Set realistic goals and be patient; research takes much longer than expected, but this slow and thorough process is what makes it meaningful and impactful. Above all, try to keep the fire alive, and don’t be too hard on yourself.
Conclusion
In closing, Daiane reflects on her time at the Mental Health For All Lab as a truly rewarding experience. Despite the countless hours dedicated to research, the collaborative and dynamic environment continuously offers opportunities for learning and growth. She is particularly enthusiastic about the lab's newest project, which focuses on addressing suicide and loneliness among the elderly—an issue she finds both important and compelling. If you’d like to learn more about Daiane’s current projects or career, please reach out to her at daiane_borgesmachado@hms.harvard.edu.