UL Scholar Prof Sodi publishes in a prestigious British Journal, Nature Medicine
Nature Medicine, a prestigious international publication based in the United Kingdom, has acknowledged the ground-breaking research conducted by University of Limpopo (UL) scholar, Prof Tholene Sodi, in the field of mental health
Prof Sodi, a registered clinical psychologist and SAMRC-DSI/NRF-UL SARChI Research Chair in Mental Health and Society at UL, has made significant contributions to the field of mental health. The world renowned Proffesor has published numerous academic papers and spearheaded myriad community engagement initiatives aimed at raising awareness about mental health issues. It is considered, in the academic field, a remarkable achievement that Nature Medicine, Â with its impressive impact factor score of 82.9 for two-years and a five-year impact score of 69.4, has recognised his work and published his research work in their journal.
Being published in high-impact journals like Nature Medicine reflects not only the selectivity but also the rigorous review process undergone by manuscripts. Prof Sodi’s paper was selected for its catalytic and demonstrative approach to addressing global mental health challenges, marking a significant achievement compared to his peers.
The published piece in Nature Medicine originated from a two-day workshop initiated and co-hosted by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the United Kingdom’s Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS). Chaired by Prof Sodi, the workshop aimed to develop a strategic mental health research agenda for sub-Saharan Africa.
Following the workshop’s recommendations, Prof Sodi, along with Prof Mahlapahlapana Themane (NRF/DSI-UL SARChI Research Chair in Schools as Enabling Environments), launched a mentorship programme. The programme aims to cultivate the capacity of early career researchers (ECRs) at UL to conduct research and implement evidence-based interventions promoting mental health in educational settings.
As a lifelong academic, Prof Sodi views the acknowledgement by the Nature Medicine as a ratification of UL’s potential embedded in its academic staff and the fact that it has a lot to offer to global community, and the learning and research fraternity in particular.
“I am thrilled to have my contribution published in this esteemed international journal. It signifies that my research has undergone rigorous scrutiny, and it enhances my profile as a scholar. This recognition of our hard work goes to show that as UL, we still have a lot of space to occupy within the broader spectrum of academic community,” Prof Sodi expressed.
His paper addresses critical issues related to curbing and managing mental health challenges within the African context, including government policies, academic collaboration, community awareness, and the impact of Covid-19 on health systems in African countries. Additionally, the paper calls for increased research funding in the field of mental health.
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