Comorbid Depression Takes Centre Stage in Research

BY: .

Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Task-Shared Counselling Intervention for Comorbid Depression in South Africa, was the title of a thesis by Dr Margaret Selohilwe who graduated with a PhD in Public Health.

Her thesis was completed under the supervision of Professor Inge Petersen.

Selohilwe was thrilled with her accomplishment, noting the significance of developing an evidence-based intervention for depression that can benefit communities in need. She aims to focus on health systems strengthening, dissemination, and implementation science in the future.

Her study found that task-shared counselling, involving trained lay health workers is a feasible solution for addressing depression in South Africa where there is a scarcity of mental health professionals in Public Health. The culturally adapted depression counselling intervention is the first of its kind, specifically developed for Setswana-speaking adults attending chronic clinic.

Selohilwe’s motivation stems from her work as a clinical psychologist in under-resourced settings where she recognised the need for culturally relevant mental health interventions and the large number of people who need treatment but do not have access to it.

Her research was supported by the PRIME-SA consortium based at the Centre for Rural Health at UKZN.

Reflecting on her journey, she thanked her supervisor, friends, colleagues, family and particularly her mother, Ms Joyce Mahloko, who played crucial roles in her success.

Selohilwe enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling in her spare time.

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini