Young people and mental health in sub-Saharan Africa

The overall aim of this project is to develop an understanding of how mental health affects young people transitioning into adulthood in sub-Saharan Africa. The PhD researcher will work towards a depiction of both structural constraints and individual perceptions of mental health, which could have an impact on young people’s aspirations and on the choices they make. Specifically, the candidate will aim to situate young people’s voices and perceptions within specific social and cultural normative frameworks, in order to ascertain how young people go about their aspirations in the context of mental health. Moreover, it is expected that the PhD will combine an understanding of how traditional approaches to mental health in the Global South intertwine with a global agenda and a more medicalised discourse of mental health.

Although mental health has received considerable attention in the Global North, and especially in relation to young people, the same cannot be said of the Global South (Atilola, 2015). Ongoing social stigma means that in much of Africa mental illness is a hidden issue equated to a silent epidemic. Moreover, lack of research and investment in mental health impacts on the understanding of the issue in the African context and on the available avenues for care and support (Amuyunzu-Nyamongo., 2013). This dearth of research is being reversed, also thanks to the Sustainable Development Goals, which include a focus on mental health for the first time in 2015: Goal 3 is directed to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages (United Nations, 2015).

This proposed project contributes to this developing field by focusing on young people. The representation of this section of the population is higher in sub-Saharan Africa than it is in the Global North (Rocha, Graeff-Martins, Kieling, & Rohde, 2015), making mental health in young people a major challenge to health systems and a key priority for research. The cost of treating mental disorders and lost worker productivity is currently estimated for low- and middle-income nations at $870 billion a year. This is projected to soar to $2.1 trillion by 2030 (Jack, Stein, Newton, & Hofman, 2014).This proposed PhD will help tackle this figure by carrying a tremendous impact potential, as the lack of research has subsequently led to a gap in policy tools (Atilola, 2017). This means not only that there is little we know in relation to how mental health affects the transitions of young people into adulthood, but also that there is little support in place for young people to meet their potential despite adverse health circumstances. Mental illness is still a taboo and stigmatised subject in Africa.

The supervisory team combines geopolitical expertise stemming from extended study in Mozambique (First Supervisor) with psychological insight on mental health and young people (Second Supervisor) and complemented by a focus on evidence-based policy and practice (Third Supervisor). Thanks to these, this PhD study will carry the potential of developing policy tools, both locally and internationally, for instance by developing a toolkit and generalizable policy options. It is expected that the candidate will clarify in the proposal how they plan to build on this expertise. Although a preference is given to proposals about Mozambique, studies based on a different country will also be considered, provided they are from the same region and have demonstrably similar contextual issues. This PhD relies on qualitative methodology, including participatory and creative methods, interviews and focus groups. These methods fit well within the research strategy identified above and allow for the PhD study to become truly youth-centred (Young & Ansell, 2003) by means of putting young peoples’ voices and perspectives at the centre of the research project.


How to apply:
We welcome applications from highly motivated prospective students who are committed to develop outstanding research outcomes. You can apply online at www.port.ac.uk/applyonline. Please quote project code ECYS4120218 in your application form.

Applications should include:
-a full CV including personal details, qualifications, educational history and, where applicable, any employment or other experience relevant to the application
-contact details for two referees
-a research proposal of 1,000 words outlining the main features of a research design you would propose to meet the stated objectives, identifying the challenges this project might present and discussing how the work will build on or challenge existing research in the above field.
-proof of English language proficiency

All the above must be submitted by the 11th of February 2018.