Is a health systems researcher and mental health advocate based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her work sits at the intersection of public health, mental health systems, and policy, with a focus on advancing equitable, accessible, and community-based mental health care. She holds a PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand’s School of Public Health, and her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at local and international conferences. Findings from her doctoral work have also informed the development of implementation guidelines for community-based mental health services in Sedibeng District, Gauteng Province. With over five years of experience across academic and public sectors, her work focuses on strengthening public mental health awareness and improving access to care. She currently serves as Chair of the Public Mental Health Special Interest Group within the Public Health Association of South Africa, where she collaborates with civil society and research partners to facilitate workshops, webinars, and community engagement initiatives. Her contributions also extend to policy and legislative processes, including recent involvement in proposed amendments to the Mental Health Care Act of 2002. Her work is grounded in a commitment to reducing the mental health treatment gap, strengthening governance and accountability in mental health systems, and supporting inclusive, community-based models of care. She is dedicated to ensuring that mental health services are responsive to the needs of diverse communities and informed by lived experiences. Her work is guided by a vision of a socially just world in which mental health care is accessible, dignified, and shaped by the voices of those most affected.
