Nasri Omar
Nairobi
Summary
I am an esteemed Global Mental Health specialist with a Master's degree in the field from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine & King's College London, underpinned by a Bachelor of Pharmacy from Kampala International University. Fluent in English, Swahili and Somali. With twelve years of professional experience in the health sector in Africa which includes; designing public health interventions, supply chain management, infectious disease management, developing and implementing health policies and strategies, and leading efforts on integrating MHPSS across various programs. Passionate about health system strengthening while also contributing to best institutional mental health practices globally.
Demonstrates strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills, with proven ability to quickly adapt to new environments. Eager to contribute to team success and further develop professional skills. Brings positive attitude and commitment to continuous learning and growth.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Expert
Consultant
08.2024 - Current
- Build local capacity of 100 participants drawn from government, NGOs, community, development partners, humanitarian workers, university students, healthcare workers and teachers by providing comprehensive training for MHPSS in emergencies
- Technical support towards Integration of MHPSS services in existing programs
- Support establishment of MHPSS coordination technical working groups among trained implementers
- Develop local Expertise through training, follow-ups, and coaching, to ensure sustainability of MHPSS interventions
Advisory Board Member of The Centre for Global Mental Health (CGMH)
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Kings College London
06.2023 - Current
- Contributed to the CGMH strategic plan 2023-2026 particularly on strengthening the role of policy making in global mental health practice
- Provide intellectual contributions that will support the general research direction of the CGMH and the generation of high quality research outputs
- Seek to maximize co-operation opportunities in respect of research and training being undertaken in the Centre
- Advise the CGMH on emerging national and global mental health issues, trends, challenges and opportunities
- Advise the CGMH on optimal partnerships E.g on the need for collaboration between researchers and policymakers
- Perform an advocacy role for the CGMH and its research agenda
- Increased Advisory Board effectiveness by providing strategic guidance and insight into role of governments in sustainability of work in global mental health
Advisor on NCDs, Injuries & Mental Health
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (AFRICA CDC)
03.2023 - Current
- Support the implementation of the Africa CDC NCDs, Injuries and Mental Health Strategy 2022-2026
- Support the integration of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Emergency Preparedness & Response by developing an MHPSS curriculum for the training of African Volunteers Health Corps (AVoHC)
- Conduct country assessments and facilitate peer learning workshops on NCDI/MH surveillance for member states across various African regions
- Assist in development of continental guidance on integration of NCDI/MH in national surveillance systems
- Coordinate regional workshops to strengthen the integration of mental health and psychosocial support in Emergency Preparedness & Response
- Contributed to Draft Africa Union Guidelines on Provision of MHPSS in conflict and post conflict situations
- Led development of first rapid assessment tool for MHPSS in emergencies in Africa
Focal Person for Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention
Ministry of Health
12.2019 - Current
- Oversee budgeting and resource mobilization for mental health initiatives amounting to 750,000USD through government financing
- Spearhead partnerships and collaboration on mental health projects E.G Collaboration with Lifeline international on suicide prevention, collaboration with US-CDC on integration of mental health in HIV programming, collaboration with Johnsons & Johnsons on access to mental health services
- Support integration of MHPSS in Emergency preparedness and response
- Coordinate international & national team during development of Kenya Mental Health Investment Case with representation from UNDP, WHO, UN interagency taskforce on NCDs and Ministry of Health Kenya
- Lead on the national workplace mental wellness program through supporting establishment of workplace mental wellness programs for E.G Ministry of Health, Ethics & Anti-corruption commission, County governments, Insurance agencies, private sector, foreign embassies
- Establish and coordinate the National Suicide Prevention Program through holding quarterly multi-stakeholders meetings and advocating for decriminalization of suicidal attempts
- Participate in the development and dissemination of national mental health policy documents E.G in county governments, CHAI, NGOs, Civil society, government agencies,
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with units comprising of school mental health, community mental health, suicide prevention, access to services, workplace mental wellness, MHPSS, alcohol & substance use, and Monitoring, Evaluation & Research
National Coordinator for Mental Health & Psychosocial Support in Emergency Preparedness and Response
Ministry of Health
03.2020 - 11.2022
- Develop and disseminate MHPSS COVID-19 response guidelines, SOPs, and tools
- Present weekly updates to the National COVID-19 Taskforce on collective action on MHPSS from mental health stakeholders
- Train health personnel across counties on MHPSS targeting 2000 healthcare workers
- Steer the development of National Tele-Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline
- Managed cross-functional teams comprising of volunteers, police counselors, psychiatrists, social workers, psychologists and nurses for effective collaboration and successful provisions of mental health services
- Coordinated national MHPSS activities for increased visibility and outreach, strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders.
- Led fundraising efforts to secure resources needed for for capacity building, deployment of mental health experts, tele mental health services, community awareness & mobilization
- Established strong relationships with external partners, fostering a network of support for future collaborations in mental health E.G with Kenya Red Cross, WHO, Johnsons & Johnsons, UNICEF, UNHCR, Police Service, Ministry of Labor and social protection, Ministry of Education, Civil society actors, and organizations representing people with lived experience
Support Secretariat
Ministry of Health; Taskforce on Mental Health
12.2019 - 09.2020
- Planning & coordination of Taskforce meetings and activities
- Drafting of the taskforce report
- Coordination of the launch of the Mental Health taskforce report
- Dissemination of the Mental Health taskforce report 2020
Board Secretariat
Ministry of Health; Kenya Board of Mental Health
03.2018 - 09.2018
- Contributed to the formulation and launch of the National Framework for Implementation of Problem Management Plus
- Collaborated with the African Mental Health Foundation and Alzheimer Organization of Kenya to organize the first STRiDE (Strengthening Response to dementia in Developing countries)
- Theory of Change (ToC) workshop in Kenya Organized and coordinated the activities of the Ministry of Health in commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
- Initiated discussions with the African Mental Health Foundation and Alzheimer's Organization of Kenya on the development of a Dementia Action Plan for Kenya
Technical support and mentorship
Ministry of Health; National AIDS & STI control program (NASCOP)
01.2015 - 09.2018
- Master trainer of trainers (TOT) for the national HIV program
- Member of the national HIV/TB technical working group (TWG)
- Member of the Nairobi County HIV Technical Working Group (TWG)
- Participated in mentorship on HIV care for staff working at various primary healthcare clinics in Nairobi
Senior Pharmacist
Ministry of Health; Mathari National Teaching & Referral Hospital
04.2012 - 03.2018
- Initiated follow up of mentally ill inpatients at the HIV clinic, from 2 patients to 330 patients in 36 months
- Initiated Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (a TB prevention therapy) at the HIV clinic from 0 patients to 851 patients, with 779 patients completing therapy (92% success rate)
- Streamlined monthly HIV drugs reporting by ensuring accurate, timely and complete reports
- Ensured zero stocks out and zeroed expiries of HIV drugs and opportunistic infection drugs
- Introduced monthly mortality review meetings at the HIV clinic at Mathari Hospital, the first review meeting being done on 28th March 2017
Education
Master of Science (MSc) - Global Mental Health
King's College London
London, United Kingdom01.2019
Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) -
Kampala International University
Uganda01.2011
Skills
- Health Policy Development and Implementation
- Health System Strengthening
- Training and Capacity Building in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
- Leadership in National Health Programs
- Emergency Preparedness and Response in Mental Health
- Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration in Health Initiatives
- Development of Health Services and Helplines
- Research and Data Analysis in Global Health
- Management and Leadership in Health Sector
- Advocacy and Policy Communication in Health
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Flexible and adaptable
- Time management
Affiliations
- Board-certified Pharmacist- Pharmacy and Poison Board of Kenya
- Member of the Kenya Psychiatric Association
- Member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya
- Representative Mental Health expert for Kenya to the East, Central & Southern Africa Health Committee
Fieldsofcompetence
- Health Policy Development and Implementation
- Health System Strengthening
- Training and Capacity Building in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
- Leadership in National Health Programs
- Emergency Preparedness and Response in Mental Health
- Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration in Health Initiatives
- Development and Operationalization of Health Services and Helplines
- Research and Data Analysis in Global Health
- Management and Leadership in Health Sector
- Advocacy and Policy Communication in Health
Seminarsandconferences
- Panelist on Strengthening Surveillance System for NCDs, Injuries & Mental Health Side Event, International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA), Lusaka, 2023
- Panelist on climate change & mental health and mental health financing workshops, 5th Global Mental Health Summit, Buenos Aires, 2023
- Chief guest, USAID Youth Excel's East and Southern Africa Youth Mental Health Data Summit, Nairobi, 2022
- World Mental Health Day; Overview of Kenya Mental Health Investment Case, Virtual, 2022
- Regulating Mental Health, Legal podcast, 2022
- Role of Pharmacists in mental health, Virtual, 2022
Yearsofexperience
12
References
- Prof Julian Eaton, Associate Professor in Global Mental Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, +44 7711140365, Julian.Eaton@lshtm.ac.uk
- Dr. Bashir Issak, Director of Family Health, Ministry of Health, Kenya, +254722318084, drbashirim@gmail.com
- Mohamed Ibrahim, PhD, Assistant Professor, The School of Social Work, Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar, +1 604 822 2100, mohamed.ibrahim@ubc.ca
Training
- Researcher Management and Leadership Training, University of Colorado, 09/01/23
- The Working Mind Employee Program, Mental Health Commission of Canada, 03/01/23
- Certification in Strategic Leadership, Kenya School of Government, 02/01/23
- Data to Policy Training, Vital Strategies, 02/01/23
- Certification in Senior Management, Kenya School of Government, 11/01/21
- Certification in Mental Health: Human Rights and Recovery, World Health Organization, 08/01/20
- Certification in the Nature, Prevention, and Treatment of Drug Use Disorders, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 08/01/20
Personal Information
Profession: Global Mental Health Specialist
Languages
somali
Native language
English
Proficient
C2
Swahili
Proficient
C2
Timeline
Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Expert
Consultant
08.2024 - Current
Advisory Board Member of The Centre for Global Mental Health (CGMH)
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Kings College London
06.2023 - Current
Advisor on NCDs, Injuries & Mental Health
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (AFRICA CDC)
03.2023 - Current
National Coordinator for Mental Health & Psychosocial Support in Emergency Preparedness and Response
Ministry of Health
03.2020 - 11.2022
Focal Person for Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention
Ministry of Health
12.2019 - Current
Support Secretariat
Ministry of Health; Taskforce on Mental Health
12.2019 - 09.2020
Board Secretariat
Ministry of Health; Kenya Board of Mental Health
03.2018 - 09.2018
Technical support and mentorship
Ministry of Health; National AIDS & STI control program (NASCOP)
01.2015 - 09.2018
Senior Pharmacist
Ministry of Health; Mathari National Teaching & Referral Hospital
04.2012 - 03.2018
Master of Science (MSc) - Global Mental Health
King's College London
Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) -
Kampala International University
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