Building mental health research capacity in Africa
Official title: Program ARISE2: African mental health Researchers Inspired and Equipped
Funded at University of Cape Town · NIH-10890801 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The ARISE program is working to improve mental health care in Africa by training students and teachers to do important research and share knowledge, especially in light of challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, so that everyone can benefit from better mental health support.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cape Town NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rondebosch, South Africa) |
| Project start | September 20, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $185,445 |
| NIH project number | 5D43TW011950-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10890801 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit include postgraduate students and professionals in the field of mental health from African countries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in academic or professional mental health research may not receive direct benefits from this program.
What this research studies
The ARISE program aims to enhance mental health research capabilities in Africa by developing a distance postgraduate diploma in public mental health. This initiative focuses on training Masters and PhD students to conduct relevant research that integrates mental healthcare into routine practices, especially in response to public health challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. The program also emphasizes strengthening teaching and mentoring skills among faculty and implementing short courses for policymakers and NGOs. By fostering a collaborative network of African institutions, the project seeks to improve mental health outcomes across the continent.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve mental health services and research capacity in African communities.
How similar studies have gone: Similar initiatives have shown success in building research capacity and improving health outcomes in various regions, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cape Town
Rondebosch, South Africa Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sorsdahl, Katherine — University of Cape Town
- Study coordinator: Sorsdahl, Katherine
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.