As a doctoral student at the University of Washington School of Public Health, Dr. Bradley Wagenaar laid the foundation for a career in global mental health research and implementation science.
A study published from his dissertation for the department of epidemiology described patterns of mental health care in central Mozambique’s Sofala province. Additional studies showed the high rate of suicide attempts and deaths and the lack of essential mental health medication.
Now, a junior faculty member in global health, Dr. Wagenaar is building on his original research to close the treatment gaps for mental health in Mozambique and other developing countries.
This World Mental Health Day, on Oct. 10, the School highlights Dr. Wagenaar’s work as one example of the projects from the department of global health’s program in global mental health, to be led next year by Dr. Pamela Collins, formerly of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
“Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide,” Dr. Wagenaar says. “Yet the vast majority of people in low- and middle-income countries, who have mental illness, don’t receive the treatment they need.”
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