When Karah Greene, MSW, a doctoral student in the 深夜看片 School of Social Work, traveled to Washington, D.C., this summer to attend the gmhCONNECT Fellowship at George Washington University, she joined a select group of emerging scholars dedicated to advancing global mental health research.
Greene was one of 11 fellows selected from universities across the country, representing career stages ranging from current doctoral students to assistant professors. The fellowship provides specialized training and mentorship that addresses the unique challenges and complexities of social driver intervention research in global mental health (GMH), preparing participants to become independent researchers and leaders in the field.
"All of us connected over the week with our shared interest in global mental health," Greene said. "I was able to learn about work being done not only in the United States, but also in Kenya, Nepal, Colombia, Brazil, Ghana, India, Pakistan, Guyana and Uganda."
The weeklong program at George Washington University brought together internationally recognized experts, policymakers and researchers to discuss innovative approaches to expanding access to quality mental health care around the world. Among the attendees was Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, who serves as minister of state for the Pakistani Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination. His participation highlighted the importance of collaboration between researchers and policymakers.
"His attendance helped us connect the importance of researchers working with policymakers to promote access to quality mental health services," Greene said.
Jerome Galea leads a presentation during the gmhCONNECT Fellowship.
Fellows attended presentations and workshops led by prominent scholars and practitioners in the field, including leaders from Partners In Health, the Transcultural Psychosocial Organization in Nepal, the Pan American Health Organization's Mental Health and Substance Use unit, and USF faculty member Jerome Galea, PhD, LCSW, online MSW program chair, associate professor in the School of Social Work, and former mental health coordinator at the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Throughout the fellowship, co-director Dr. Brandon Kohrt facilitated discussions between fellows and presenters, encouraging participants to think critically about the barriers that affect mental health care delivery worldwide. One simulation exercise challenged fellows to work together as fictional countries, navigating policy and infrastructure obstacles while developing strategies to improve access to care.
The program also emphasized professional development. During an academic writing workshop led by co-director Dr. Stevan Weine, fellows refined the specific aims sections of future grant applications. In addition, participants were divided into collaborative teams that will continue working together through spring 2027, culminating in either an academic publication or a policy commentary focused on a global mental health issue.
Sessions explored a range of topics, including suicide prevention, integrating mental health into government legislation, training community members to deliver evidence-based interventions and sustaining culturally adapted programs after grant funding ends. A key theme throughout the week was ensuring that people with lived experience remain at the center of research and policy discussions. Members of AVES Mental Health, an international organization that empowers people with lived experience of mental health conditions through peer support, mentorship and advocacy, contributed to conversations about designing more community-centered research.
For Greene, the experience reinforced the value of global collaboration and the impact researchers can have beyond the classroom.
"I look forward to taking all of the knowledge and connections I gained into the next chapter of my educational journey and pursuit of a career in global mental health," she said.
