Deborah Oyine Aluh is a PhD student of the International Global Public Health Doctoral Programme offered by a consortium of four Portuguese public health institutions: the NOVA National School of Public Health, the NOVA Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and NOVA Medical School, and the University of Porto (Institute of Public Health/Faculty of Medicine). Her PhD research, funded by La Caixa foundation, aims to investigate the contextual factors that contribute to the use of coercive measures in mental health care, using Nigeria and Portugal as case studies for developing and developed countries. Speaking three African languages and two European languages, she is keen to apply her research experience in African and European contexts to provide practical solutions to global mental health problems.
Our fellow NOVA colleague is passionate about mental health and human rights. As such, in her talk, she wants to explore the profound impact of adverse experiences, particularly in childhood, and how they can perpetuate a cycle of victimhood across generations. She will be sharing her personal journey of resilience, highlighting the effects of childhood adversities like displacement and parental loss, although supported by scientific research, stressing the need to recognize intergenerational suffering and escape this cycle. The talk will emphasize self-awareness, learning, introspection, and consciousness. Additionally, she will underscore continuous learning for personal development. Her main argument is that seeking knowledge and learning from the past equips us to navigate challenges and create a brighter future.
Deborah has published her academic work in international journals such as Lancet Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry, and Psychiatric Epidemiology, Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, and BMJ Open.
Additionally, Deborah demonstrates an awareness of social issues and is devoted to mentoring and advocating for women in science.