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Inside the Journal Club: Week 3 with Dr Siqi Xue on ‘Preventative interventions to address social determinants of mental health: a focus on cash transfer programs

Full Name: Siqi Xue

Role/Title: Assistant Professor

Affiliation: University of Toronto Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Journal Club Session Date: August 21, 2025

Title of Paper/Presentation: Preventative interventions to address social determinants of mental health: a focus on cash transfer programs

Bio Summary

Dr. Xue is a women’s mental health psychiatrist and associate scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Xue completed her medical and psychiatry residency training at the University of Toronto. She completed a Master of Science degree in Global Mental Health jointly from King's College London and The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) as a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Detweiler Travelling Fellow. Her work has been recognized by awards from the Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology, the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK), and the Federation of Medical Women of Canada.

Summary

The current global mental health movement calls for prevention-based interventions that target social determinants of mental health. Cash transfers are increasingly being studied mental health promotion and prevention interventions. There is emerging evidence to support their efficacy addressing depression, anxiety, and wellbeing outcomes among children and adult populations. Psychiatric researchers can help design, evaluate, and advocate for integrated approaches.

Aims of Presentation

The aims of the presentation are to define social determinants of mental health and the interventional framework, provide an overview of cash transfer interventions, review current evidence and limitations, and examine future research opportunities. The presentation is closely aligned with Dr. Xue’s academic interests in upstream, structural, and ecological determinants of mental health, and designing and evaluating complex context-sensitive interventions in under-resourced settings.

Dr. Mohsin Hassan Alvi

Full Name: Dr. Mohsin Hassan Alvi

Role/Title: Assistant Director Health Economics

Affiliation: Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning

Journal Club Session Date: 14 August, 2025

Title of Paper/Presentation: Health Economics and Its Role in Healthcare Research: Opportunities and Benefits

Bio:

Dr. Mohsin Hassan Alvi is a distinguished scholar and researcher in health economics, holding a Ph.D. in Public Administration from the University of Karachi with a perfect CGPA of 4.00, a PGD in Health Economics from the University of York, UK, and an MBA in Marketing & Finance from Iqra University. With extensive experience in economic evaluations of health interventions, particularly in mental health, suicide prevention, and cancer care, he has published widely and contributed to numerous funded projects. He is actively associated with institutions such as the Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning, the University of Manchester, and the Health Services Academy, and has an H-index of 10 with over 1,300 citations. In addition to research, Dr. Alvi is a skilled trainer in SPSS, EViews, MS Project, and other research tools, and has played a pivotal role in preparing budgets, grant applications, and capacity-building programs in his field.

Summary:

This presentation explores the role of health economics in healthcare research, drawing on insights from NIHR and UKRI blogs and official resources. Health economics focuses on how limited healthcare resources can be used most effectively to improve patient outcomes. It supports decision-making on which treatments, technologies, and interventions should be funded, considering both costs and benefits, including non-financial impacts such as quality of life. Key questions addressed include: How can economic evaluation guide the adoption of new healthcare technologies? What factors determine whether an intervention offers good value for money? And how can health economics ensure fairness and inclusivity in access to care? The findings highlight that health economics not only influences cost-effective treatment decisions but also plays a vital role in prevention, equity analysis, and long-term healthcare planning. I chose this topic because understanding health economics is essential for bridging the gap between research evidence and practical healthcare delivery, ensuring that investments in health lead to the greatest benefit for patients and society.

Aims of Presentation:

The aim of this presentation is to help attendees understand the importance of health economics in guiding healthcare decisions, from choosing cost-effective treatments to ensuring equitable access and long-term sustainability. I hope participants will appreciate how economic evaluation can improve both efficiency and fairness in healthcare systems. This topic directly relates to my current work in health economics, where I assess the economic impact of interventions, develop evaluation methods, and contribute to research that informs policy and practice, ensuring that limited healthcare resources deliver the greatest possible benefit.

From Local Action to Global Impact Advancing Research Capacity Through Collaboration June 2025

MANCHESTER: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Minister for Education, Mr. Meena Khan, along with Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Haq, Vice Chancellor of Khyber Medical University (KMU), visited the University of Manchester to explore opportunities for academic and research collaboration.

They were welcomed by Prof. Nusrat Husain, Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Research in Global Mental Health at the University of Manchester, who highlighted ongoing UK Pakistan joint projects in health and education. Among the funded studies showcased were:

ACROSS (NIHR203082): Affordable Cardiac Rehabilitation Outreach Inter-Disciplinary Strategic Study
Moving on ABC (NIHR205561): Psychosocial Care Plan for Depression in Breast Cancer Patients
BURNS rehabilitation (NIHR203082)
Suicide Prevention in Youth (MRC Ref: MR/R022461/1)

The delegation also held discussions with Prof. Keith Brennan, Vice-Dean for Internationalisation, on establishing joint programmes in medicine, psychology, and allied health to prepare future leaders in healthcare and research.
The Pakistan delegation included Dr. Amna Noureen and Rabia Sattar, recipients of the NIHR GHR SPARC awards, Prof. Aneela Maqsood, Muqaddas Asif, Bushra Ali Shah from the Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning (PILL), and Dr. Atta Asif, Senior Scientist at Manchester Global Foundation. The ministerial team was joined by Prof. Dr. Jalil Khan, Director of Family Medicine at KMU, and Mr. Sajid Inam, Secretary of the Higher Education Regulatory Authority, Government of KP.

The delegation also toured the University’s advanced engineering laboratories with Dr. Kamal Qazi, focusing on the role of biotechnology in improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities.

Minister Meena Khan praised Prof. Husain and PILL’s leadership in driving research excellence, pledging KP’s support for initiatives that will strengthen educational growth, research capacity, and innovative projects in Pakistan.

From Local Action to Global Impact Advancing Research Capacity Through Collaboration June 2025

Between the 9th and 14th of June 2025, GMHCP hosted a landmark Research Capacity & Capability Building Programme in Manchester. This transformative week brought together researchers, clinicians, students, and global collaborators from both the UK and Pakistan. Designed to strengthen partnerships and enhance local leadership, the week served as a powerful example of what can be achieved when knowledge, purpose, and community come together.

Highlight: Global Health Research in Pakistan – 10th June 2025

Held at the Hyatt Regency Manchester, our flagship event Global Health Research in Pakistan: From Local Action to Global Impact convened leading voices in international mental health and public health research. The event spotlighted critical collaborations between researchers in Pakistan and the UK and addressed shared challenges in delivering impactful, culturally relevant healthcare interventions.

The day featured a robust lineup of speakers and presenters, including:

• Dr Muhammad Ilyas Gondal - Former Director General Health Services Punjab, Pakistan
• Professor Nusrat Husain - Professor of Psychiatry; Director Research Global Mental Health, University of Manchester
• Dr Nasim Chaudhry - CEO, Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning
• Dr Ume Laila - Professor of Psychology, Dean of School of Arts and Social Sciences, Gujranwala Institute of Future Technologies, GIFT university
• Mr Tariq Wazir - Consul General of Pakistan, Manchester
• Dr Nicola Commander - NIHR Assistant Director of Global Health Research
• Professor Zainab Zadeh - Professorial Research Scientist and Chief Operating Officer (Research), Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning
• Prof Rod Taylor - Professor of Population Health Research, University of Glasgow
• Prof Mowadat Rana - Head of Division of Neuropsychiatry, Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning
• Ms Farah Lunat - Research Operations Manager, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
• Professor Imran Chaudhry - Chairman, Department of Psychiatry, Ziauddin Hospital, Karachi
• Professor Maria Panagioti - Professor of Mental Health, University of Manchester
• Professor Saeed Farooq - Global Research Professor, National Institute of Health and Care Research, UK; Professor of Psychiatry and Public Mental Health, Keele University
• Dr Dung Jidong - Lead, Global Mental Health Research Theme, Division of Psychology & Mental Health; Director, ClinPsyD EDI, University of Manchester
• Dr Rakhshi Memon - CEO, Manchester Global Foundation
• Dr Ahmed Waqas - Clinical Research Fellow, Primary Care & Mental Health, University of Liverpool
• Dr. Zahoor Ahmed - Ambassador of Pakistan to Spain
• Dr. Haiyan Zheng - Reader in Statistics, University of Bath

Throughout the day, attendees participated in panel discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities that highlighted:

• The development of culturally adapted mental health interventions
• Digital innovations in recruitment and data collection
• Strategies for long-term sustainability and ethical research in LMICs
• Research studies funded by the NIHR and delivered with deep community involvement

The full event agenda and images is included at the end of this post.

Research Capacity & Capability Building Workshops (9th–14th June 2025)

Across six days, attendees participated in interactive workshops designed to strengthen essential skills in mental health research, particularly across low-resource settings. These sessions catered to early career researchers, clinicians, students, and academics alike, building their confidence in both practical and theoretical research delivery.

The workshops covered a range of themes, led by an outstanding group of facilitators:

9th June 2025
Digital AI for Recruitment in Research Trials
Facilitator: Dr. Naeem Muhammad
Exploring the power of artificial intelligence to aid participant recruitment, including a session on using ChatGPT to support qualitative data analysis.

10th June 2025
Global Health Research in Pakistan event
[Details above]

11th June 2025
"Count Me In" & Cognitive Remediation

Morning Session Facilitators: Jahanara Miah and Michelle Harvey

Afternoon Session: Dr. James Gilleen on Cognitive Remediation
• Amna Noreen led an introductory talk on cognitive remediation approaches.

12th & 13th June 2025
Grant Writing Retreat

Facilitators:
• Professor Nusrat Husain
• Professor Imran Chaudhry (12th June)
• Professor Karina Lovell (13th June)

These sessions gave participants a structured, mentored opportunity to begin drafting their own research proposals and thoroughly go through and review current and upcoming grants. Many attendees left with tangible progress on future applications.

14th June 2025
Research Delivery Network Meeting
Hosted at Manchester Global Foundation (MGF), this final session created space for reflection, next steps, and mapping future collaborative priorities.

Full daily agendas for each session are available at the end of this blog post.

Capturing the Week: Images & Visual Moments

We’re thrilled to share a visual snapshot of the week through our image gallery, which you can find below. These images capture the engagement, diversity, and collaboration that were the heart of this programme.

Interested in contributing a blog post, quote, or reflection from your experience? Please get in touch — we’d love to feature your voice.

What We Learned

• Invest in local expertise: Real impact comes from empowering communities and researchers on the ground.
• Partnership is power: Cross-border collaboration leads to more ethical, context-sensitive and scalable research.
• Capacity is continuity: Long-term investment in skills, training, and relationships will sustain future projects.

Gratitude & Acknowledgements

This programme would not have been possible without the hard work and contributions of our incredible speakers, facilitators, and participants. We also thank our partners at the University of Manchester, Manchester Global Foundation, and the NIHR for their continued support.

Explore the Agendas

• [Download the 10th June Global Health Research in Pakistan Agenda (PDF)]
• [Download the Research Capacity & Capability Building Week Agenda (PDF)]

Mental Health in Jordan: Research Gaps, Systemic Challenges, and Policy Imperatives

Mental health in Jordan is a critical concern, characterised by significant challenges and opportunities for intervention. According to reports from the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO), the economic burden of mental health conditions in Jordan exceeds 250 million Jordanian Dinars (JOD) annually. It is estimated that more than 20% of the Jordanian population experiences unresolved mental health issues, with over 2,500 deaths attributed to untreated mental health conditions (World Health Organisation, 2020).

The primary predictors of mental health problems in Jordanian society, particularly among females, include socioeconomic factors such as income, experiences of spousal violence, and general health status. Mental health research in the country reveals several key challenges, including the pervasive stigma surrounding mental health, the limited availability of mental health services, and ethical and methodological barriers that hinder the advancement of research in this field. AlQerem et al. (2024) examined mental health literacy in Jordan. They identified the influence of education, income, and marital status on public knowledge of mental health, stressing the need for targeted educational initiatives and policy reforms.

Work-related stress among mental health professionals, largely stemming from inadequate organisational support, constitutes a significant concern within the healthcare system. Hamdan-Mansour et al. (2011) found that mental health nurses in Jordan experience high levels of work stress, largely due to a lack of organisational support. These findings indicate the importance of addressing the work environment of mental health professionals to enhance both their well-being and the quality of care they provide.

Mental health literacy (MHL) levels in Jordan remain average, but stigma and the limited availability of mental health services serve as substantial barriers to accessing care, complicating efforts to improve MHL. Al-Qerem et al. (2024) suggest that enhancing MHL through educational reforms and greater availability of mental health resources is essential for improving mental health outcomes in Jordan.

A rising incidence of psychiatric disorders marks the mental health landscape for children and adolescents. A scoping review conducted by Al-Hamawi et al. (2023) highlighted alarming rates of mental health issues among this population in Jordan, with prevalence rates for depression ranging from 7.1% to 73.8%, anxiety from 16.3% to 46.8%, ADHD from 13.0% to 40.6%, emotional and behavioral challenges from 11.7% to 55.2%, PTSD from 16.2% to 65.1%, and eating disorders from 12% to 40.4%.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further worsened mental health issues, especially among healthcare workers, who have reported higher levels of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and stress (World Health Organisation, 2020; Salameh, Marais, & Khoury, 2023). These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive mental health interventions and policy reforms to tackle the increasing mental health burden in Jordan.

References

  • World Health Organization (2020) Mental health and psychosocial support for health workers during COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan. World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. Available at:
    https://applications.emro.who.int/docs/9789290226949-eng.pdf?ua=1
    (Accessed: 5 January 2025).
  • World Health Organization (n.d.) Mental health in Jordan. World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. Available at:
    https://www.emro.who.int/jor/jordan-news/mental-health-in-jordan.html
    (Accessed: 5 January 2025).
  • Al-Qerem, W., Jarab, A., Khdour, M., Eberhardt, J., Alasmari, F., Hammad, A., Zumot, R., & Khalil, S. (2024). Assessing mental health literacy in Jordan: A factor analysis and Rasch analysis study. Frontiers in Public Health,12.
  • Hamdan-Mansour, A.M., Al-Gamal, E., Puskar, K., Yacoub, M., & Marini, A. (2011). Mental health nursing in Jordan: An investigation into experience, work stress and organizational support. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 20(2), 86-94.
  • AlHamawi R, Khader Y, Abu Khudair S, Tanaka E, Al Nsour M. Mental Health and Psychosocial Problems among Children and Adolescents in Jordan: A Scoping Review. Children (Basel). 2023 Jul 4;10(7):1165. doi:10.3390/children10071165. PMID: 37508662; PMCID: PMC10377849.
  • Salameh, G., Marais, D., & Khoury, R. (2023). Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health among the Population in Jordan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(14), 6382.
    https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20146382

CAMH Systematic Review Training with RAYYAN

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) Division at the Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning organized a systematic review training session focusing on search strategy development and screening of literature using RAYYAN.

Pre-Conference Workshop Report on Systematic Review

Department of Psychology in collaboration with Fountain House arranged a pre-conference workshop on ‘Systematic Review’ on June 05, 2024. It was facilitated by Dr. Bushra Naz (Assistant Professor), Ms. Momna Nayyar (Principal Lecturer), Arooj Nazir (Lecturer) and students. The guest speaker was Mr. Usman Arshad, a Research Associate and General Manager of Evidence Synthesis at the Pakistan Institute of Living & Learning (PILL), and an Honorary Research Assistant at the University of Manchester and was trained at University of Oxford. The workshop aimed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of systematic review methodologies and emphasized on the protocol of conducting a systematic review research, with a special focus on bringing imperative changes in mental health field. The interactive session was highly beneficial, enhancing the skills and knowledge of students of Masters, PhD and professionals. Thus, facilitating capacity building and continued professional development for new researchers as well. The workshop was organized as part of international conference on Global Conference on Psychopathology & Rehabilitation (GCPR-24) (Wellness: Our Shared Responsibility) will be held at the University of Central Punjab, Lahore on June 26 & 27 2024.

Workshop on Basics of Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Workshop on Basics of Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
28th May - 29th May 2024

Workshop on Advance Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Workshop on Advance Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
4th March - 6th March 2024
University of Manchester
11Oct-20

A Public Event for Good Mental Health and Wellbeing

A Public Event for Good Mental Health and Wellbeing