Education

The Duke Center for Global Mental Health prioritizes advancing education in global mental health at every stage of learning—from engaging undergraduate students to supporting graduate and professional trainees and fostering ongoing professional development. Through courses, workshops, seminars, and lecture events, CGMH seeks to transform teaching and learning by emphasizing mentorship at every level and across diverse formats, extending well beyond the classroom. Across all activities, CGMH promotes the knowledge, skills, and cross-cultural competencies needed to address the most complex and pressing mental health challenges worldwide. By integrating rigorous academic training with hands-on, experiential learning, CGMH bridges education, research, and practice together, equipping the next generation of leaders to innovate, advocate, and strengthen mental health care across global settings. 

Educational Resources and Opportunities

Coursework & Research Opportunities

Learn about current research projects, scholarship opportunities, and academic courses that allow students and trainees at all levels to engage directly in global mental health scholarship.   Read more

GMH Trainee Community

The GMH Trainee Community connects students and early-career professionals to share resources, build community, and learn about the field.   Read more

Career Development

Access guidance and professional development resources to support diverse careers in global mental health research, practice, project implementation and management, and policy.   Read more

Student and Trainee Quotes

As a second year Master's student in Global Health, I have had transformative opportunities to connect with global partners, learn from faculty in different disciplines, and contribute to projects that addressed gaps in mental health globally. The center is very supportive and collaborative and has not only helped me improve my research skills, but also deepened my passion for working to advance mental health initiatives internationally.
Breanna Barrett
Duke University ‘25 ‘26
I came to Duke hoping to join a community of global mental health scholarship and practice. The institutional support during my PhD allowed me to sustain and grow international collaborations back home in East Africa, receive world-class mentorship across multiple disciplines, learn together with likeminded graduate students, and mentor undergraduates by providing opportunities I did not have as a student.
Justin Rasmussen
PhD Candidate, Clinical Psychology
My work started out as purely cardiovascular, wanting to understand patients’ adherence to their hypertension medication in an East African country. Through participating in various activities organized by the Center, I have come to develop a deeper appreciation for global mental health and the need for an integrated approach to address patients’ physical and mental health needs, because neither mental health nor other health issues stand in silos.
Mirlene Perry, MSN, RN
PhD Candidate, Duke School of Nursing
I have had the opportunity to learn from so many people and gain new knowledge as a part of my research work with the Center, which has helped me clarify topics I am interested in studying further in my graduate education and professional career. As someone who aspires to work advocating for and advising mental health policies, my work with the Center has helped me further understand the landscape of global mental health and its domestic applications.
Emily Ford
Duke Undergraduate, Class of 2026