Creating a way to measure access to mental health care in Nigeria
Official title: Developing and Evaluating a Perceived Access Metric for Global Mental Health
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10951373 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to understand how people in Nigeria with depression and anxiety feel about getting mental health care, so we can find out what makes it hard for them to access help and improve services for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $204,888 |
| NIH project number | 1R34MH137174-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10951373 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals living in Nigeria who experience depression or anxiety, along with their caregivers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside of Nigeria or those not experiencing mental health issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a culturally appropriate metric to assess perceived access to mental health care in Nigeria, focusing on patients with depression and anxiety. Through in-depth interviews with patients, caregivers, and clinicians, the project will identify barriers to accessing mental health services. The findings will help hold governments accountable and inform the design of programs to improve mental health care accessibility. Additionally, the project will enhance the research skills of early-stage global mental health researchers in Nigeria.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to mental health care for individuals in Nigeria and similar low-and-middle income countries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in developing culturally tailored health metrics, indicating potential for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fortney, John C. — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Fortney, John C.
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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.