GlobalTracks Newsletter July-September 2014

GLOBALTRACKS

A Newsletter for Global Mental Health Connections  

July-September 2014

Table of Contents

NEWS NIMH at the Skoll World Forum for Social Entrepreneurs 

In April 2014, social entrepreneurs and funders from around the world participated in the University of Oxford’s Said Business School Skoll World Forum: three days of stimulating lectures, workshops, structured networking exercises, and interviews with international leaders in social entrepreneurship. The 2014 Forum agenda included a session on global health, particularly non-communicable diseases. In an interview conducted by Peggy Clark of the Aspen Institute, Pamela Collins, M.D., M.P.H., Director of the Office for Research on Disparities and Global Mental Health (ORDGMH) at NIMH, and Chris Underhill, Founder and Director of BasicNeeds, spoke about the importance of mental health in the context of global health. Dr. Collins discussed the substantial global disability and costs associated with mental disorders, and the lack of human resources, in many settings, to address the needs for care adequately. She noted the role of research in solving these kinds of problems, highlighting the research carried out through NIMH initiatives, including the NIMH Collaborative Hubs for International Research on Mental Health in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). These efforts are building the evidence-base for the use of non-specialist providers to deliver mental health interventions in low-resource settings.  

Global Mental Health Workshop 2014

In June 2014, more than 200 participants from 31 countries participated at NIMH’s workshop, “Solving the Grand Challenges in Global Mental Health: Partnerships for Research and Practice.” During the two-day workshop, NIMH and Grand Challenges Canada grantees, global mental health innovators, and other key stakeholders discussed research activities required to solve the six priority areas identified in the Grand Challenges in Global Mental Health study. Participants noted the tremendous growth over the past five years in the number of mental health research projects in LMICs, due in large part to initiatives launched by NIMH and by Grand Challenges Canada. A summary of the workshop will be posted on the NIMH web site.

TRAINEES  NIMH Trainees at the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Grant Writing and Peer Review Workshop

The 27 Institutes and Centers (ICs) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the NIMH, provide leadership and financial support to researchers both inside and outside the United States. However, very few early career investigators from sub-Saharan Africa seek or receive NIH support.  Early career investigators from sub-Saharan Africa often have questions about what it takes to prepare a successful grant application, but have not known where to turn for answers. In response, on November 18-20, 2013, the Center for Global Health of the National Cancer Institute, other NIH ICs, and other United States government agencies, in collaboration with the South African Medical Research Council, held the sub-Saharan Africa Regional Grant Writing and Peer Review Workshop in Johannesburg, South Africa. The objectives of the workshop were to develop strategies for sustainable research support, to foster scientific collaborations, and to promote research as a tool to address global health concerns. A total of 63 early career investigators from 17 countries in sub-Saharan Africa attended the workshop, including two NIMH-sponsored early career investigators: Itai Magodoro, M.D., from Zimbabwe, and Kennedy Amone-P'Olak, Ph.D., from Botswana.

Among the many sessions presented, participants attended an interactive mock review session. Prospective applicants discussed their proposals and received guidance from NIH program officials, who emphasized the importance of understanding the NIH grants process as an important first step in shaping and informing grant writing efforts—from first idea to final outcome.

After the workshop, Dr. Magodoro described how the knowledge he gained during the workshop improved his understanding of NIH grants process. He explains:

The workshop convened by NIH was spot-on for me. I wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes from application submission through award and close out… I came to understand success rests in large measure with developing scientifically sound and compelling research questions with potential for significant real-world impact. Paying attention to funding agencies’ specifications cannot be over-emphasized, especially noting and responding to their feedback.

FUNDING Mobile Health: Technology and Outcomes in LMICs—R21

The Fogarty International Center (FIC) is now accepting applications for an initiative entitled, Mobile Health: Technology and Outcomes in Low-and Middle-Income Countries (R21). The goal of this initiative is to encourage exploratory/developmental research applications that propose to study the development or adaptation of innovative mobile health (mHealth) technology specifically suited for LMICs and the health-related outcomes associated with implementation of the technology. Eligible applicants include individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal. Individuals from U.S. and LMIC institutions are eligible to apply. Applicants are required to propose partnerships between at least one U.S. institution and one LMIC institution. Individuals from non-U.S. high income country institutions are not eligible to apply, but may participate as partners or collaborators in proposed programs. Applications for fiscal year 2015 awards are due February 19, 2015, by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. Before you begin your application, please contact Beverly Pringle, Ph.D., of NIMH to discuss eligibility and priority area(s) by telephone at 301-443-3725 or e-mail at bpringle@mail.nih.gov.

Editor's Corner Jude Awuba

Four years ago, as some of you may recall, ORDGMH began its efforts to build a research community of early career investigators who would tackle the challenges of global mental health through innovative research. As part of that endeavor, ORDGMH convened the workshop, “Building Research Careers in Global Mental Health,” and shortly afterwards, established this virtual newsletter, GlobalTracks, to engage with and provide career guidance to budding investigators interested in developing a research career in global mental health. Since then, our online global mental health trainee audience has grown to 4700 members. I am humbled to have been part of this incredible journey of growth. The time has come for me to transition to a new career in the field of HIV/AIDS, and this is my last issue of GlobalTracks. It is my hope that the gains we have made in expanding the field will be sustained and advanced.