RT @AKUGlobal: His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims passed away peacefully…

This #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek, we spotlight how early experiences shape a child’s brain and emotional well-being. As Prof. @LukoyeAtwoli , our Deputy Director, explains, everything from the food children eat to the environments they grow up in influences their mental health. Exposure to violence, emotional or psychological abuse (even just witnessing it) can affect brain development and increase the risk of mental illness later in life. By fostering safe, supportive environments, we can protect children’s mental health and promote lifelong well-being. #ChildrenMentalHealth #BrainDevelopment #ChildWellbeing

RT @AKUMCEA: Our upcoming public forum will look at the critical influences on children’s values and growth - from religion, the internet,…

Self-harm is a growing concern, yet data from low- and middle-income countries remain scarce. A recent publication by Willie Njoroge, Research Fellow, Dr. Jasmit Shah, Data Scientist, and fellow researchers @AKU_BMI provide critical insights into those most affected, common self-harm methods, and associated mental health conditions. Key findings: ✅ 74.3% of self-harm cases involved women ✅ 88.2% of cases had depression as the primary diagnosis ✅ 68.8% involved medication overdoses ✅ Family conflict (39.6%) was the leading trigger The publication highlights the urgent need for comprehensive self-harm prevention strategies, including integrating mental health screening in hospitals, equipping healthcare workers with specialized training, and establishing a national surveillance system to track trends and guide interventions. Strengthening support systems at the family and community levels is also essential to addressing the root causes of self-harm. Read more here ➡️ #MentalHealth #SelfHarmPrevention #SuicidePrevention

Are you an early-career researcher or postgraduate student in psychiatry, psychology, pharmacology, or neuroscience looking to deepen your expertise, connect with global experts, and expand your research impact? Applications are now open for the second cohort of the African College of Neuropsychopharmacology (AfCNP) School on Neuropsychopharmacology! This one-week intensive training program scheduled for June 1–8, 2025 at Aga Khan University Centre is designed to equip participants with advanced knowledge in neuropsychopharmacology through expert-led lectures and interactive poster sessions, providing a hands-on approach to learning and networking. Apply now! Application Deadline: March 20, 2025 Register here 👉 For inquiries, contact us at:leonard.liposhe@aku.edu| afcnp2024@gmail.com #AfCNPSchool2025 #EarlyCareerResearchers #MentalHealthResearch

Delays and inadequate payouts contribute to a 2.5% rise in #dementia deaths. This study highlights the urgent need for policy reform. #Highlights ✅Eligibility criteria for social pension schemes in Africa hinder equitable and healthy aging. ✅Delays and low pension payouts are associated with worsening death rates from dementia. ✅Average health life expectancy for both genders should serve as a basis for initiating pension payouts. Read full publication here➡️

The @WHO estimates that over 700,000 lives are lost to suicide each year, with many more individuals attempting it due to mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or trauma. Fear of stigma and criminal consequences often prevents them from seeking help. Kenya’s historic ruling to decriminalize suicide attempts is a vital step toward breaking this stigma. It shifts the focus from punishment to compassion, understanding, and access to treatment. Learn more about this transformative decision and its impact here ➡️ #MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention

Cyprian Mostert, @AKU_BMI's Mental Health Economist, defines success as making meaningful progress in mental health policies that prioritize care and well-being. His work focuses on driving change through research-backed advocacy, ensuring that governments and institutions invest in mental health as a public health priority. By addressing key risk factors like tobacco and alcohol and transforming complex economic insights into actionable solutions, Cyprian aims to create sustainable reforms that strengthen mental health systems and improve lives. Read more about his work at @AKU_BMI here ➡️ #MentalHealthPolicies #BrainHealth #HealthPolicy

Our Founding Director, Prof. Zul Merali, participated in the Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative's The Brain House panel discussion titled 'Unlocking Global South Potential: Building Economic Resilience Through Brain Health,' during the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting. The discussion, moderated by Alexandre Cabaret, Vice President of Devex, featured panellists, including Prof. Miranda Wolpert, Director of Mental Health at Wellcome Trust; Catarina Mastellaro, Mental Health Portfolio Lead at WHO Foundation; and Joseph Dieleman, Professor of Health Metrics Sciences at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). The panellists shared innovative approaches to addressing brain health challenges and emphasized their profound impact on fostering economic resilience in the Global South. #BrainHealth #WEF25

In the latest World Psychiatry Journal, Prof. @LukoyeAtwoli and other authors explore how trauma impacts people in different ways, showing that PTSD is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. The authors stress the importance of recognizing different trauma responses that could lead to more effective, personalized treatments in the future. Over the next decade, research across diverse populations and contexts will uncover what trauma responses are universal and what varies based on individual experiences and cultural settings. This growing knowledge could change how we diagnose, treat, and support people affected by trauma worldwide. Read the full article here 👉 #MentalHealthResearch #BrainHealth

Prof. Zul Merali will speak at @DavosAlzheimer's The Brain House session, “Unlocking Global South Potential: Building Economic Resilience Through Brain Health,” during the @WorldEconomics Forum’s annual meeting. This session will explore how prioritizing brain health can drive economic progress in the Global South, where brain drain poses a significant challenge to talent retention. Prof. Merali and other global thought leaders will share actionable insights into overcoming cultural and structural barriers to brain health. They will also discuss strategies to strengthen brain health as a foundation for economic resilience, enabling the Global South to build healthier populations, more productive workforces, and stronger, more resilient societies. #BrainHealth #WEF25

In their latest publication, Dr. Fauziah Rabbani, Prof. Zul Merali, Amna Siddiqui, and co-authors explored the effectiveness of mPareshan—a digital mental health program designed to reduce anxiety and depression through counselling delivered by Lady Health Workers in rural Pakistan. The findings highlight the potential of digital tools to empower community health workers in addressing mental health challenges in underserved areas. Despite barriers such as connectivity and workload, this approach demonstrated high acceptability and appropriateness, effectively bringing mental health support to those who need it most. Learn more here: #MentalHealthInnovation #BrainHealth

We will host the @alzassociation International Conference (AAIC) Neuroscience Next Nairobi Hub at the Aga Khan University Center, Nairobi, Kenya on February 27th, 2025, from 8 am to 5 pm. This global, no-cost event is a fantastic opportunity for researchers, students, and enthusiasts to: ✅ Learn about the latest Alzheimer’s and Dementia research. ✅ Meet researchers, clinicians, and others passionate about neuroscience. ✅ Be part of a global conversation about brain health. Register now 👉

A big win for Mental Health Advocacy in Kenya as the High Court declared Section 226 of the Penal Code unconstitutional yesterday! This is a huge step towards ending the stigma around mental health in Kenya. The ruling decriminalizes attempted suicide, which was previously punishable by up to two years in prison, a fine, or both. In its decision, the court noted “Suicide ideation is a mental health issue, not a 'willed act' by a person of sound mind. Criminalizing such behaviour further stigmatizes and victimizes individuals who need care and support." This victory was made possible by the efforts of many advocates, including our Deputy Director, Prof. @LukoyeAtwoli, who was one of the champions pushing for this change. His work has helped promote care and support for those struggling with mental health, instead of punishment. This ruling respects the dignity and rights of people facing mental health challenges and shows the importance of providing help, not punishment. We celebrate this milestone with our partners and advocates who made this change possible. #MentalHealthMatters #SuicidePrevention

🔊 Join Our Team! We are hiring a Data Associate to support our #Research Programs at BMI. If you are passionate about ensuring data quality and advancing impactful studies, this opportunity is for you! 👉 Apply now or share this opportunity: #IkoKaziKE #jobopportunity #DataAssociate #TeamBMI #Research

As we come to the close of the year, it is a time to reflect and focus on well-being. We share our Founding Director Zul Merali’s 10 Tips to Less Stress, offering ways to cultivate balance, joy, and mindfulness. From decluttering your life to practicing compassion, small actions can lead to meaningful change. This festive season prioritize kindness and intention, focusing on what brings vitality and connection!