Farah Shiraz

Dr Farah Shiraz has been working as an Assistant Professor at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore where she has been advancing the global mental health research within SSHSPH. Dr Shiraz recently relocated to Copenhagen, Denmark where she will be working as a mental health research consultant. She will continue to work with NUS SSHPH as a visiting senior academic. Dr Shiraz has expertise in several areas of health services research with over eight years’ experience in qualitative and mixed methods research methodology. During her time at NUS, she has led several qualitative studies, evaluated intervention programmes, promoted person-centred care, and is the leading author on the development of a psychometric tool examining the biological-psychological and social health needs of older adults. She has a specialist interest in Global Mental Health where her recent work has included; 1)The exploration of mental health and psychosocial support of healthcare workers during COVID-19, 2) A global social network analysis looking to identify the key actors and networks in Global Mental Health to understand how these actors can influence mental health policies globally. 3) A mental health capacity building project for health professionals in Cambodia in collaboration with a Singaporean NGO.

Dr Shiraz advocates that all people should have the highest standard of mental health and well-being and countries should ensure universal health coverage which involves access to quality and affordable care for mental health conditions. She champions the ‘No health without mental health’ initiative, and promotes a wider acceptance of mental health within the public health field.

Areas of expertise and interest

• Redefining of mental health; raising awareness of mental health with public health and global health field. • Global Mental Health; The advocacy for raising awareness of mental health on a international scale and humanitarian political agenda. • Mental Health; Lived experience of mental health / service user led research, Adolescent/youth mental health, Suicide Prevention, Stigma and Mental health • Psychological intervention, development and implementation; Innovation and research in psychological interventions • Psychosocial health and Wellbeing measurement • Ageing; successful ageing, cultural perceptions of ageing • Mental health systems and policies • Monitoring and evaluation • Qualitative research methods and design

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy - PhD Queen Mary University of London (2011 — 2015)
• Master of Science - MSc Swansea University (2009 — 2011)
• Bachelor of Science - BSc Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd (2001)

Companies

• Chief Scientific Officer Khora Virtual Reality (2021)
• Assistant Professor National University of Singapore (2019 — 2021)
• Senior Research Fellow National University of Singapore (2015 — 2019)
• PHD Queen Mary, University of London (2011 — 2015)
• Research Officer Swansea University (2009 — 2011)
• Assistant Clinical Psychologist NHS Trust (2008 — 2009)
• Clinical Assistant Psychologist NHS (2008 — 2008)
• Clinical Mental Health Support Worker/ Assistant Psychologist NHS (2006 — 2008)
• Assistant Clinical Psychologist Caswell clinic, Forensic Service (2003 — 2004)