Linnet Ongeri

Linnet is a clinical research scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Centre for Clinical Research located in Nairobi, where she heads the mental health division. She is a psychiatrist by training. Linnet’s interest is in implementation research that strives to design effective culturally and regionally appropriate models of integrating mental health in primary health care. She is an investigator on several studies that include: 1) testing strategies for integrating non-specialist delivery of evidence-based interventions for depression and/or trauma-disorder with primary care services at public sector hospitals; and 2) neuropsychiatric genetics of African populations with psychotic disorders.

Linnet has served as co-investigator in other studies exploring psychotherapy for HIV+ women affected by gender-based violence and prevalence of post-partum depression among women attending selected maternal and child health clinics. She is currently pursuing her PhD at Vrije University in the Netherlands. Her PhD research focuses on suicidal behavior among persons with psychotic disorders. Aside from her research role, Linnet is additionally engaged in policy work. She’s a member of Kenya’s Residential Mental Health National Task Force as well as various technical working groups at the Ministry of Health.