Organizations: Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) and the Lutheran Church of Central Africa (LCCA) in Malawi and Zambia
Background/Context:
According to the World Health Organization, there are less than 0.25 mental health professionals available to serve every 100,000 people in Malawi, and although there are over four mental health professionals for every 100,000 people in Zambia, these numbers are significantly lower when compared to the United States which has over 145 mental health professionals for every 100,000 people. One practical way to meet mental health needs is through community-based mental health care options, which are more accessible and acceptable than institutional care.
The Friendship Ministry is a program created by Professor Stephen Saunders, a clinical psychologist at Marquette University. The Friendship Ministry trains members of the church to appropriately help their church minister assist other church members who are experiencing mental health problems and emotional distress.
Research Question:
- What is the acceptability and priority for a church-based peer support counseling program in Malawi and Zambia?
Study Aims:
- Determine the acceptability of a church-based peer support counseling program in Malawi and Zambia
- Identify priority areas for specific mental health focus conditions (eg. depression, anxiety, etc.), populations (eg. perinatal women, youth, etc.) and geographic locations (eg. rural vs. urban, regional districts in Malawi, etc.).
- Identify the interest in potential follow-on research to implement and evaluate the impact and outcomes of a culturally acceptable community mental health service model.
Impact:
Provide culturally appropriate, faith-informed, community-based mental health options for people with minor mental health care needs in Malawi and Zambia.
Open Positions:
1 Virtual Research Assistant – dissemination/publication (please note project when applying)
Timeline: March 2025 – August 2025
