Page 64 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

Navigating the Impact of US Fourth, we work with the World Health Organization
Executive Orders on Funding on several projects, including classification and
assessment of psychiatric disorders. This has led to
We are reliant on NIH funding, and one grant the development of a new diagnostic interview for
which we thought was funded is currently in limbo. mental disorders, which is being trialled in several
This means a loss not only of finances but also of different countries.
opportunities for capacity building – and so has
negatively impacted morale.

Research Translation
Through Arts and Science
First, our Mental Health Information Centre continues
to play a key role in translating our work to relevant
stakeholders and the public. It does this through
continuous liaison with the media, through taking
direct calls from members of the public, and via its
ongoing focus on increasing mental health literacy
and decreasing stigmatisation of mental disorders.

Second, we work with the Western Cape Department
of Health on several different projects, attempting to
bring research outputs to services. The Director of the
Unit plays a key role in mental health services in the
province, as he is Head of UCT's Dept of Psychiatry,
which is affiliated with Groote Schuur Hospital, Red
Cross Children’s Hospital, Valkenberg Hospital, and
a range of other facilities. This means that he is in
constant interaction with managers, administrators,
and other stakeholders, and can continuously lobby
for improving mental health services.

Third, we work with the National Dept of Health on
several issues, particularly in the area of substance Participant in Drakenstein Child health study.
use disorders.

62 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2024-25