B. ASSAf Workshop Proceedings and Other Reports
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Proceedings Reports are a verbatim reflection of a live ASSAf event. It is published with consent of all speakers.
Peer-Review Status: Non-Peer Reviewed
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Item The implications of COVID-19 for mental health and substance use(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The COVID-19 pandemic has had both short- and long-term implications for mental health and substance use, especially for groups at risk of new or exacerbated mental health disorders and those facing barriers to accessing care. History has shown that the mental health impact of disasters outlasts the physical impact, suggesting today’s elevated mental health needs will continue well beyond the coronavirus outbreak itself. The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) hosted a Mental Health Symposium aimed at obtaining the perspectives of early career researchers. The theme of the symposium on ‘The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use’ sought to increase knowledge and build capacity in mental health research amongst early career researchers. As policymakers continue to discuss further actions to alleviate the burdens of the COVID-19 pandemic, it will be important to consider how the increased need for mental health and substance use services will likely persist long term, even if new cases and deaths due to the novel coronavirus subside.Item Roundtable on Advancing multisectoral and life-course approaches in mental health research(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the UK Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) jointly hosted a workshop in November 2022 on Advancing multisectoral and life-course approaches in mental health research and have produced a proceedings report capturing the deliberations and recommendations. The outcomes of the workshop were discussed at the ASSAf/AMS roundtable as part of the SA Mental Health Conference. The need for multisectoral and interdisciplinary approaches to research aimed at improving the mental health and wellbeing of citizens in Africa was highlighted. The Roundtable session provided an important opportunity to network and discuss the research that would best achieve this. The purpose of the Roundtable was to share the findings of the ASSAf/AMS proceedings report (November 2022), to deliberate on the key findings of this report as they pertain to the current state of mental health research in South Africa, to identify challenges, and to determine key stakeholders needed to address these challenges. It also aimed to encourage debate with delegates on practical ways to translate available research findings into action which improve the lives of citizens across the region.Item Advancing multisectoral and life-course approaches in mental health research(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS)Although there is some evidence of increasing investment, mental health services are a neglected aspect of healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa.* However, the COVID-19 pandemic – and control measures associated with it – has shone the spotlight on mental health challenges and their human, social and economic costs. The impact of the pandemic has highlighted the importance of the biopsychosocial model of mental health, which recognises that mental wellbeing is affected by the interplay between ‘internal’ biological and psychological factors and ‘external’ social, political, and environmental influences. For the latter, the social determinants of mental health concept highlights how a wide range of external factors across several domains have a critical impact on mental wellbeing. Interventions targeting social determinants or structural factors have the advantage of potentially delivering benefits to large numbers for prolonged periods. In November 2022, the UK Academy of Medical Sciences and the Academy of Sciences of South Africa jointly organised a workshop to explore ways to advance multisectoral and life-course approaches in mental health research in sub-Saharan Africa. In breakout groups, workshop participants discussed successful examples of mental health research in sub-Saharan Africa, similarities and differences across countries, and how greater collaboration could advance multisectoral and life-course approaches to mental health research. These discussions highlighted a range of key themes: • Strengthening and diversifying data sources: Participants suggested that, in some settings, additional data are needed on disease burdens, priority populations and social determinants of mental health which could be used to support advocacy, target action and guide the development of new interventions. As well as epidemiological data, long-term longitudinal data could provide insights into pathways to mental health impact and identify potential points of intervention. • Developing consistent, locally defined, standardised and appropriate metrics for valued outcomes: Delegates stressed the importance of consistency in approaches across studies, and use of contextually validated and standardised measures, to ensure quality and facilitate comparisons and data pooling. These measures need to be culturally relevant and meaningful to people with lived experience, capturing broader social and economic outcomes alongside clinical improvement. It is also important to capture qualitative as well as quantitative inputs through these metrics. To promote a life-course perspective, measures need to be suitable for use beyond the traditional focus on working-age adults. • Promoting translational development: The need for additional research across the translational spectrum was highlighted, including more evaluation of ‘grass-roots’ initiatives, additional confirmatory and larger-scale studies following promising pilot studies, and implementation/operational research to accelerate introduction and scale-up of evidence-based policies and interventions. It was argued that interventions should prioritise integration with existing health system and community platforms, and adopt people-centred approaches. • Strengthening partnerships to achieve the above: Participants identified interdisciplinary and multisectoral collaborations as critical to progress, potentially supported by an integrated conceptual framework to facilitate cross-sectoral interdisciplinary research programmes and intervention development. Strengthened collaboration within the region and internationally, through equitable international partnerships with a commitment to capacity-building, was seen as fundamental. Participants also stressed the need for a systems-based approach and engagement with all relevant actors, including members of the public, the informal health sector (such as traditional and faith healers) and the private sector where appropriate. • Building relationships with people with lived experience to ensure input at all stages: Delegates highlighted the critical importance of engaging with people with lived experience, to provide opportunities for meaningful inputs at all stages of research, including prioritisation of research questions and co-creation and delivery of interventions. • Optimising the mental healthcare workforce: Strengthening and building workforce capacity in mental health were seen as high priorities. Mental health specialists are few in number in the region and further research on strategies such as task-shifting, and scaling up of proven task-shifting interventions, could help to address large treatment gaps. Participants also suggested that there is a need to promote skills development to support greater service and multi-sectoral integration, task shifting, and mental health awareness across relevant sectors. • Supporting advocacy to promote the above: Delegates identified the need for the research community to engage with policymakers to understand their needs and provide evidence-based inputs, to leverage the mainstream media to translate messages for more general audiences, and to work with people with lived experience to achieve co-ordinated and more effective advocacy. By strengthening ties – within Africa and internationally – the mental health research community in the region will be better placed to share knowledge and experience, develop joint and multicentre studies, and raise the profile of mental health research among politicians and policymakers. In doing so, they can help to close the mental health care gap and build a field with the capacity to enhance mental health for all and at all stages of life.Item Proceedings report of webinar on mental health and bullying(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2022) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Bullying among adolescents has been identified as a significant public health concern. It is a life-changing experience that has drastically affected more than a third of adolescents in schools globally. There are important negative consequences to victims, perpetrators, schools, families and communities at large. Several studies have shown that victims of bullying are at increased odds of adverse outcomes including physical health problems, emotional and behavioural problems, and psychiatric disorders. At the mental health level, evidence has linked being a victim of bullying to higher rates of depression, insomnia, feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, low self-esteem, suicide ideation and suicide attempts8. Due to the potential mental health effects on everyone involved, it’s important to heed the warning signs of bullying and to highlight intervention and prevention strategies. This webinar sought to understand the impact of bullying on mental health, the mental health of those who experience and witness it and to identifying intervention and prevention strategies.Item Priorities for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Research and Services in South Africa webinar(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2022) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Children and adolescents under the age of 18 years comprise 34% of the population, and child and adolescent Mental, Neurological and Substance Use (MNS) disorders are common and an important cause of disability and distress. Providers at all levels should be competent to screen for and identify common childhood mental disorders, which usually present with developmental delay, emotional and/or behavioural symptoms and/or learning difficulties. Given the burden of disease, the fact that many mental disorders begin in childhood, and that early intervention is most effective in childhood and adolescence, it is essential that effective promotion, prevention, treatment, care and rehabilitation interventions should be provided for children and adolescents. In this webinar, hosted by the Academy of Science of South Africa, leading experts in child and adolescent mental health presented their priorities for child and adolescent mental health services and research in South Africa.