TRANSFORM

Slum populations in low- and-middle-income countries (LMICs) have high rates of serious and enduring mental illnesses (psychosis and severe mood disorders, often with co-occurring substance abuse) and very poor access to mental health care. Traditional and faith-based practices are frequently chosen as treatments by sufferers and their families since these are more accessible, considered affordable, and in tune with their cultural beliefs and traditions.

 

Faith-based and traditional healing can play an important part in delivering care in LMICs, especially for common mental disorders like anxiety and depression, both in the African continent and Asia, but those with serious mental illnesses may require additional biomedical treatment and follow-up.

 

TRANSFORM is a research project led by Professor Swaran Singh at the University of Warwick, working closely with partners in Bangladesh and Nigeria, and Professor Iyer (co-investigator on this project).

 

TRANSFORM aims to improve access to care and outcomes of serious mental disorders in slums, by developing an innovative collaborative care model involving traditional/faith healers, mental health professionals, primary care practitioners and community health workers (CHWs). 

 

This multidisciplinary research programme is being conducted across two slum communities, one each in Korail, Bangladesh and Ibadan, Nigeria. The project was developed and is being implemented with continuing involvement of the research teams, persons with lived experience, slum community leaders, community health workers and local traditional/faith healers in Korail and Ibadan.

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Besides using the usual channels of scientific publications and policy papers, the project is  developing street theatre, documentary films and other arts-based approaches to increase the impact of its research and to further engage communities, raise awareness, reduce stigma and provide information on multiple pathways to and actors in mental healthcare.