Strategic planning in LAMIC mental health research: A Ghana case study

Abstract

The need for more mental health research in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LAMICs) has been repeatedly acknowledged. Yet there has been limited focus on how this goal can be achieved optimally. This paper makes the case for orienting mental health research efforts in developing countries within a strategic planning approach at a national level that recognizes the practical constraints of low resource environments, as well as methodological constraints created by factors such as low literacy levels, and the use of multiple languages. A case study of Ghana is used to illustrate how such a strategic planning model could be developed. This proposed approach should be of interest to other LAMICS in need of locally generated mental health research to inform clinical practice, mental illness prevention initiatives, and public policy.