Alumnus Johannes John-Langba appointed regional VP for Africa at the World Federation for Mental Health

Beginning this November, Johannes John-Langba (GSPH ‘04, SOC WK ‘04G) is serving as regional vice president for Africa of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) organization. The WFMH, founded in 1948, promotes measures to prevent mental and emotional disorders as well as treatment and care of people with mental health struggles.

John-Langba is currently the academic leader of research and higher degrees in the School of Applied Human Sciences and director of the College of Humanities Doctoral Academy at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

His research area is on the psychosocial dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic among university students in five African countries and its impact on carers of persons with mental and neurological disorders.

In an interview with his campus’ newsletter, he said, “I plan to utilise my role as the WFMH Regional Vice-President — Africa to engage in evidence-based advocacy for increased investment in mental health by African governments, as part of the WFMH’s global call for greater investment in mental health in the region.”