Mental Health Research Training for

Improved Health Outcomes in Kenya -

An Overview

Presenter: Muthoni MathaiDate: July 16, 2014

• Vision: A world-class university committed to scholarly excellence

The University of Nairobi

University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 2 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke

Objective

• The objective of this presentation is to highlight the milestones of the Linked Mental Health Project; the targets met, the challenges we have encountered, as well as what lays ahead of us

Objective of MH Linked Project

Build mental health research capacity in Kenya in order to improve both psychiatric and general health outcomes

• Specific objectives (Aims)1. Improve mental health research capacity at UON by training

faculty – Multidisciplinary

2. Training postgraduates in mental health research – multidisciplinary and mentored research projects

3. Establish a mental health research resource centre based at UON and supported by UON and UW faculty

Accomplishment – Aim 1

• Faculty from the College of Health Sciences (CHS) and mental health workers from associated institutions have been trained on research methods, proposal writing and grant writing and research ethics• 3 thematic areas:

1. Substance Abuse2. Gender Based Violence, and3. Maternal Child Mental Health

Accomplishment – Aim 1… Cont’d•Mentoring of these investigators has continued through

monthly Skype meetings and email exchange between UON and UW investigators under the 3 thematic areas

Accomplishment – Aim 2

• Another batch of postgraduate trainees were selected from psychiatry as well as other disciplines (Nursing, Obstetrics, etc), and;• Assigned to thematic groups to develop proposals• Successfully participated in a 2 week workshop on

research ethics, proposal writing and research methods

Accomplishment – Aim 2… Cont’d

• Have been participating in the monthly work-in progress Skype mentoring sessions

• Have been participating in scheduled online teaching in relevant areas (UW and UON have been digitally recording mental health research related sessions for asynchronous streaming online)

Participants during Mental health workshop 2

Accomplishment – Aim 3

• The Resource Center has already been established, amply furnished with;

Up to date Theses and Dissertations – CataloguedRelevant Journals and Books – Catalogue in processInternet-enabled computersA photocopier, Scanner and Printer

• The Research Coordinator runs the center

Resource centre

Accomplishment – Aim 3… Cont’dPart of the resource centre is the establishments of a

network of mental health research mentors.This network has started through training of local mentors

(AIM1), and an increasing number of research partners from the UW.

Challenges

Posterity…

• Developing locally adapted and sustainable interventions in mental health is the long term goal of this project and this has already been initiated• Developing intervention projects in the thematic areas to

ensure continuation of the project beyond the period of this grant• Exploring RFAs for grant opportunities

Posterity… Cont’d

• Organize a Mental Health Research conference to give the research activities of the project a forum for presentation• Technical assistance for publication of research will be given to

students, faculty and other Mental Health researchers who will make up the network of mentors

Posterity… Cont’d

• Continue organizing and providing technical support for Skype meetings and other online programs• Coordinate with initiatives to capacity build in mental health care

in Africa/other Low Middle Income Country Settings• Begin to hold a regular mental health research seminar series

Conclusion

Staff of the Mental Health Linked Project

Acknowledgements

• All members of MH-Linked project UON and UW

• Co-PI Deepa Rao (UW)

• UON Co- investigators: Margaret Makanyengo, Manasi Kumar, Mary Kuria, Anne Obondo, Violet Kimani, Beatrice Amugune, David Bukusi, Mirriam Wagoro

• UW Co-investigators: Jurgen Unutzer, Ann Vander Stoep, Debra Kaysen, Dennis Donovan,

• Prof Kiarie , Prof Machoki and the PRIME- K Team

• Funding / Support: Funding for this work came from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)through award number 4R25MH099132.

THANK YOU