Presence in Nigeria

One of the MGF’s beneficiaries (Christopher Francis) of capacity and capability building at our University of Jos Nigerian research office wrote:

 “[MGF has] contributed tremendously towards the advancement of my carrier which is evidenced in my skillset such as (a) conducting various aspects of research activities (b) presentations in academic conferences (c) co-authorship and publications (d) organizing and hosting of research workshop/seminars etc. For example, parts of my achievements in 2021/2022 academic year include my co-authorship in three high impact peer-reviewed journal articles”

 “I have planned to host the 1st ever workshop/seminar on April 11th with the themed ‘CULTURE AND MENTAL HEALTH 2022’ at the Pan-African Mental Health Research Centre of the University of Jos in Nigeria under the umbrella of MGF as part of my contribution towards the advancement of research and knowledge exchange activities in Nigeria”.

Research in UK’s African/Caribbean and Nigerian communities

It is with immense pleasure to acknowledge Professor Nusrat Husain (who recently stepped down from of MGF Trustee’s role) for his tireless and consistent support of over 60 minutes of weekly mentoring that has made our research team received numerous accolades. For example, as a result of Professor Husain’s mentoring for our ongoing pilot randomised controlled trial of using learning through play plus culturally adapted cognitive behaviour therapy for treating postnatal depression in British mothers of African/Caribbean origin, the project has received a special recognition of award on 1^st March by the Nottingham Trent University (NTU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Edward Peck at the university’s Strategic Research Themes Award Ceremony 2022. In addition, the project was also used by the NTU Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research & Innovation Professor Di Bailey to demonstrate research excellence and resilience – other delegates were encouraged to emulate our research approach.

The African and Caribbean mental health research

The African and Caribbean mental health research teams have defined three main aims to integrate and develop research, to support research capacity development and to translate, communicate and broadcast research. Our partnerships with MGF and PILL has strengthened our research activities, they enable us to carry out our proposed research in low-and-middle-income countries and also among low-income populations in high-income countries. Our goals are to successfully complete and publish our pilot studies and scale-up trials.

We anticipate that treatment with learning through play and culturally adapted cognitive behaviour therapy will become part of routine care for maternal depression across Nigeria, Kenya and the UK, with the potential to be replicated in other countries including Ghana and Gambia.