Dr Ursula Read, who leads on the research in Ghana for Workstream 2, together with Dr Erminia Colucci from Middlesex University, has successfully obtained a grant from the Global Challenges Research Fund, awarded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

The project entitled “Using collaborative visual research methods to understand experiences of mental illness, coercion and restraint in Ghana and Indonesia” is being conducted in collaboration with Professor Joseph Osafo at the University of Ghana and Dr Diana Setiyawati at the University of Gadjah Mada, Indonesia with partners from local mental health advocacy groups and arts organisations.

The project will build on the research in Ghana for Workstream 2 by using ethnographic film and participatory methods to explore in detail how mental health workers establish collaborations with faith-based and traditional healers to prevent the use of coercive practices and physical restraints and improve care for persons affected by mental illness. Members of the participatory groups which Ursula has set up in Ghana with occupational therapists Sarah Gyau and Ann Fordie will be involved in the project through developing participatory videos based on their experiences of mental illness and coercion and restraint, and the role of their families, communities, healers and health workers. Some participants from the stakeholder interviews will also be part of the advisory group for the project and participate in an initial workshop to be held on April 12th. The local partners, Mindfreedom Ghana, a mental health advocacy group, and Nubuke Foundation, an arts foundation engaged in community arts, will be involved in dissemination and engagement activities for Workstream 2 in Ghana. Screenings of the final films will be held at community venues in urban and rural locations as part of events to engage stakeholders and the public with findings from the two projects.

You can read more about the project here