Building mental health research capacity in Africa

Program ARISE2: African mental health Researchers Inspired and Equipped

NIH-funded research University of Cape Town · NIH-10890801

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 typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Cape Town NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Rondebosch, South Africa)
Project IDNIH-10890801 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation or benefit include postgraduate students and professionals in the field of mental health from African countries.

Not a fit: Patients who are not involved in academic or professional mental health research may not receive direct benefits from this program.

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 performed: 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

Rondebosch, South Africa

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.