Global Fellow

Dr. Teresia Mutavi becomes a member of SMART Africa Kenya team

After graduating with her Ph.D. in Psychiatric Social Work late last year, SMART Africa’s Global Fellow Dr. Teresia Mutavi is currently at the University of Nairobi, where she is a lecturer and researcher exploring childhood trauma. This past year Dr. Mutavi also became a member of the SMART Africa Kenya team. In this capacity, she helps manage data that is collected from the field. Dr. Mutavi is also a co-author on several recent articles, including“Parents’ and Teachers’ Perceptions of Factors Affecting Learning in Kenya” which was published in the Global Social Welfare Journal, last July. The paper demonstrated the need for both teachers and parents to work together to discuss perceived factors that interfere with children’s learning. She also led a paper on “Incidence of depressive symptoms among sexually abused children in Kenya” that was published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health and was one of the first studies of its kind to ascertain the incidence of depressive symptoms among children who have experienced sexual abuse in Kenya. Dr. Teresia is also a co-investigator for EQUIP Kenya. EQUIP (Ensuring Quality in Psychological Support), focuses on developing and dissemination of resources for scaling-up quality delivery of psychological interventions. EQUIP Kenya is WHO’s initiative, in collaboration with Washington University, CitiesRISE, and in partnership with Basic Needs Kenya and the Center for Public Health and development. Congratulations Dr. Mutavi, for all your recent accomplishments!