School of Public Health highlights the importance of trauma-informed research and community health worker well-being at Global Mental Health Symposium

Three SoPH scholars presented at the World Universities Network Global Mental Health Symposium at the University of Cape Town

Written by: Rachel S Coley

On 23 and 24 June 2026, three SoPH researchers presented at the World Universities Network Global Mental Health Symposium hosted at the University of Cape Town. The Symposium brought together scholars, advocates, and students from across the globe to explore the intersection between mental health, digital health, artificial intelligence, student support and research methodology.

SoPH presenters shared innovative approaches to trauma-informed research in two SOPH-led projects and reflected on early results from a PhD exploring occupational mental well-being among community health workers. The specific presentations were entitled:

• Trauma-informed ethics and health systems practice: Reflections from co-designing gender transformative adolescent sexual and reproductive health research from Cape Town, South Africa, presented by Dr Phoene Oware
• Building healthy evidence ecosystems: promoting researcher wellbeing through the Imarisha initiative, presented by Karessa Govender
• The occupational risks of community health work in Southern Africa: A scoping review sub-analysis, presented by Ms Rachel S Coley