scholarly journals Mental health research in Brazil: policies, infrastructure, financing and human resources

2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jair de Jesus Mari ◽  
Rodrigo A Bressan ◽  
Naomar Almeida-Filho ◽  
Jerônimo Gerolin ◽  
Pratap Sharan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Doctoral Degree ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
State Funding ◽  
Funding Agency ◽  
Mental Health Training ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
International Knowledge

The objective of this descriptive study was to map mental health research in Brazil, providing an overview of infrastructure, financing and policies mental health research. As part of the Atlas-Research Project, a WHO initiative to map mental health research in selected low and middle-income countries, this study was carried out between 1998 and 2002. Data collection strategies included evaluation of governmental documents and sites and questionnaires sent to key professionals for providing information about the Brazilian mental health research infrastructure. In the year 2002, the total budget for Health Research was US$101 million, of which US$3.4 million (3.4) was available for Mental Health Research. The main funding sources for mental health research were found to be the São Paulo State Funding Agency (Fapesp, 53.2%) and the Ministry of Education (CAPES, 30.2%). The rate of doctors is 1.7 per 1,000 inhabitants, and the rate of psychiatrists is 2.7 per 100,000 inhabitants estimated 2000 census. In 2002, there were 53 postgraduate courses directed to mental health training in Brazil (43 in psychology, six in psychiatry, three in psychobiology and one in psychiatric nursing), with 1,775 students being trained in Brazil and 67 overseas. There were nine programs including psychiatry, neuropsychiatry, psychobiology and mental health, seven of them implemented in Southern states. During the five-year period, 186 students got a doctoral degree (37 per year) and 637 articles were published in Institute for Scientic Information (ISI)-indexed journals. The investment channeled towards postgraduate and human resource education programs, by means of grants and other forms of research support, has secured the country a modest but continuous insertion in the international knowledge production in the mental health area.

scholarly journals Invited commentary on … Mental health research priorities in low- and middle-income countries

2009 ◽  
Vol 195 (4) ◽  
pp. 364-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Araya
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Health Priorities ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Simple Process ◽  
Inequalities In Health ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

SummaryThere are huge inequalities in health research within and between countries. It is argued that this may hinder the process of setting and tackling mental health priorities. If this were true, establishing research priorities would be important. However, this is not a simple process and one must be aware of its limitations. Despite a plethora of declarations, funding for mental health research in low- and middle-income countries remains hard to find. In the absence of funding, establishing research priorities is seen by many as an exercise of lesser importance.

scholarly journals Infant Mental Health Research in Africa: a call for action for research in the next 10 years

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Tomlinson ◽  
Barak Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Maternal Depression ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Infant Development ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Infant Mental Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Background.Less than 3% of articles published in the peer reviewed literature include data from low- and middle-income countries – where 90% of the world's infants live.Methods.In this paper, we discuss the context of infancy in Africa and the conditions of adversity obtaining in Africa.Results.We discuss the implications of poverty on parenting, and linked to this outline the impact of maternal depression on infant development.Conclusions.We outline three features of the field of infant mental health research in Africa, and issue a call for action about what we believe is needed in order to develop the field in the next decade.

Scarcity and inequity of mental health research resources in low-and-middle income countries: A global survey

Health Policy ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Razzouk ◽  
Pratap Sharan ◽  
Carla Gallo ◽  
Oye Gureje ◽  
Exaltacion E. Lamberte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Global Survey ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Research Resources ◽  
Low And Middle Income

scholarly journals The EVITA framework for evidence-based mental health policy agenda setting in low- and middle-income countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 424-439
Author(s):  
Nicole Votruba ◽  
Jonathan Grant ◽  
Graham Thornicroft
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Agenda Setting ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Policy Agenda ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Health Research Policy ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract The burden of mental illness is excessive, but many countries lack evidence-based policies to improve practice. Mental health research evidence translation into policymaking is a ‘wicked problem’, often failing despite a robust evidence base. In a recent systematic review, we identified a gap in frameworks on agenda setting and actionability, and pragmatic, effective tools to guide action to link research and policy are needed. Responding to this gap, we developed the new EVITA 1.1 (EVIdence To Agenda setting) conceptual framework for mental health research–policy interrelationships in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We (1) drafted a provisional framework (EVITA 1.0); (2) validated it for specific applicability to mental health; (3) conducted expert in-depth interviews to (a) validate components and mechanisms and (b) assess intelligibility, functionality, relevance, applicability and effectiveness. To guide interview validation, we developed a simple evaluation framework. (4) Using deductive framework analysis, we coded and identified themes and finalized the framework (EVITA 1.1). Theoretical agenda-setting elements were added, as targeting the policy agenda-setting stage was found to lead to greater policy traction. The framework was validated through expert in-depth interviews (n = 13) and revised. EVITA 1.1 consists of six core components [advocacy coalitions, (en)actors, evidence generators, external influences, intermediaries and political context] and four mechanisms (capacity, catalysts, communication/relationship/partnership building and framing). EVITA 1.1 is novel and unique because it very specifically addresses the mental health research–policy process in LMICs and includes policy agenda setting as a novel, effective mechanism. Based on a thorough methodology, and through its specific design and mechanisms, EVITA has the potential to improve the challenging process of research evidence translation into policy and practice in LMICs and to increase the engagement and capacity of mental health researchers, policy agencies/planners, think tanks, NGOs and others within the mental health research–policy interface. Next, EVITA 1.1 will be empirically tested in a case study.

scholarly journals Mental health research priorities in low- and middle-income countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean

2009 ◽  
Vol 195 (4) ◽  
pp. 354-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Sharan ◽  
C. Gallo ◽  
O. Gureje ◽  
E. Lamberte ◽  
J. J. Mari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Burden Of Disease ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Low And Middle Income

BackgroundStudies suggest a paucity of and lack of prioritisation in mental health research from low- and middle-income (LAMI) countries.AimsTo investigate research priorities in mental health among researchers and other stakeholders in LAMI countries.MethodWe used a two-stage design that included identification, through literature searches and snowball technique, of researchers and stakeholders in 114 countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean; and a mail survey on priorities in research.ResultsThe study identified broad agreement between researchers and stakeholders and across regions regarding research priorities. Epidemiology (burden and risk factors), health systems and social science ranked highest for type of research. Depression/anxiety, substance use disorders and psychoses; and children and adolescents, women, and people exposed to violence/trauma were prioritised among the disorders and population groups respectively. Important criteria for prioritising research were burden of disease, social justice, and availability of funds. Stakeholder groups differed in the importance they gave to the personal interest of researchers as a criterion for prioritising research. Researchers' and stakeholders' priorities were consistent with burden of disease estimates, however suicide was underprioritised compared with its burden. Researchers' and stakeholders' priorities were also largely congruent with the researchers' projects.ConclusionsThe results of this first ever conducted survey of researchers and stakeholders regarding research priorities in mental health suggest that it should be possible to develop consensus at regional and international levels regarding the research agenda that is necessary to support health system objectives in LAMI countries.

Galvanising mental health research in low- and middle-income countries: role of scientific journals

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 954-954
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
World Health ◽  
Scientific Journals ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Journal Editors

Late in 2003 the World Health Organisation convened a meeting of psychiatric journal editors to discuss the role of scientific journals in mental health research in developing countries. The joint statement from the meeting is now available at the Journal's website: http://journals.cambridge.org/final_joint_statement.pdf

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