LiCORMH

 

Since the devastating 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak, Liberia has been working towards sustained recovery and addressing on-going needs. One key area of need surrounding the outbreak has been its effect on the mental health and psychosocial functioning of affected individuals and communities. In an effort to better understand the nature of the needs in this area for survivors and affected communities, a junior researcher from Morehouse School of Medicine, Dr. Gilberte (“Gigi”) Bastien, has launched a research project in collaboration with the Carter Center’s Mental Health Program and LiCORMH. Supported by the National Institutes of Health’s Fogarty International Center, Dr. Bastien’s project aims to assess the long-term mental health and psychosocial impact of the Ebola virus disease, while elucidating existing strengths and resilience among survivors, contacts and relative, other key groups (e.g., burial team members, religious/spiritual leaders, etc.), and broader communities in Liberia. In collaboration with local and international partners, this project hopes to contribute to meeting the MHPSS needs of Liberians affected by Ebola.