Research Group: Global Mental Health

Closing the Mental Health Treatment Gap

75% of people with mental health problems in low-income countries do not have access to effective treatment. Our research focuses on improving the mental health and health-related behaviors of people living with HIV and other vulnerable groups in global, low-resource settings. We use mixed methods to understand the individual and social factors associated with better health outcomes. Our ultimate goal is to develop, test, and disseminate culturally-appropriate behavioral interventions in innovative and sustainable ways.

Key Projects

Testing a couple-based intervention for mental health in Lesotho

This study will assess whether an adapted version of the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) is more effective at improving depression and substance use in people living with HIV in Lesotho than the existing standard of care.

Photo by Ivan Samkov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-a-man-wearing-white-shirt-8499276/

Masculinity, HIV disclosure, and HIV care engagement.

Studying if men living with HIV who hold unhelpful idealized beliefs about masculinity have more difficulty disclosing their HIV status, and in turn, are less likely to be retained in HIV care. more

Team

Dr. Jennifer Belus - Group Lead

Dr. Irene Falgas Bague - Senior scientific collaborator

Natalie Johnson - PhD student

Grace Yoon - PhD student

...more projects

PEGISUS: Peer Education for Gender Inclusion and Substance Use in Southern Africa

Integrating a peer group intervention for alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and gender equity beliefs into vocational training programs in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. more

Photo by Monstera: https://www.pexels.com/photo/positive-black-man-using-smartphone-while-sitting-on-sofa-5997313/

Testing a primarily SMS-based intervention to reduce alcohol use in Lesotho

For many people living in rural settings in Lesotho, weekly attendance for behavioral intervention sessions to address mental health and substance use can be challenging. In this study, we will test whether one in-person session plus standardized SMSs is superior to a 4-session in-person intervention, delivered by non-specialist mental health providers.

Pilot-testing a couple-based intervention for women’s ART adherence

This study pilot tests "Supporting Treatment for Anti-Retroviral Therapy (START) Together" vs referral for ART adherence counseling in order to improve adherence in women living with HIV. Conducted in collaboration with the Human Sciences Research Council and funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. more

Mental health stigma reduction intervention for community health workers

This study will pilot test an intervention designed to reduce CHW stigma towards depression and substance use and test whether such an intervention can help CHWs more effectively engage patients back into care. more

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