Black Brazilians living in favelas and quilombola communities face a double burden of racism and poverty that leaves them with high rates of untreated mental health problems, yet there is almost no research or intervention designed specifically for them. This project addresses that gap directly. Brazil is one of the world’s most racially unequal societies. Black communities experience extreme poverty, discrimination, and restricted access to health services. The result is a severe, unmet need for mental health care that damages quality of life, worsens health outcomes, and limits education and employment. Current research and interventions largely ignore the intersection of racism and mental health. If successful, this four-year study will produce the first robust evidence base on how racism and social disadvantage affect Black Brazilians’ mental health. The team will co-design culturally appropriate community mental health interventions and training packages with the communities themselves. A dedicated policy network will push findings into Brazilian and regional mental health policy. The project also builds a sustainable platform for future global mental health researchers and healthcare professionals, directly supporting UN sustainable development goals on health and wellbeing.
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RESEARCH QUESTIONS How does racism and social disadvantage impact on the mental health of Black Brazilians? How can we build capacity in research and healthcare around intersectional, anti-racist mental healthcare provision in Brazil? BACKGROUND Brazil is a highly socioracial unequal society where Black communities are characterized by extreme poverty, racial and social discrimination, and restricted access to health services. Brazil has high levels of unmet mental health problems in Black communities, leading to significant impact on quality of life, poor health outcomes and reduced educational/employment opportunities. There is a significant gap both in research and interventions on racism in mental health, notably from an intersectional approach. AIMS-OBJECTIVES ORI aims to establish an urgently needed evidence base on racism and mental health in Brazil, and co-design effective, context-bespoke and culturally acceptable interventions to address mental health needs in underserved Black Brazilian communities. Objectives: to produce intersectional knowledge on racism and mental health; to conduct research with Black Brazilians; to co-develop community mental health interventions and training packages; to influence mental health policy in Brazil and the wider region; and to build sustainable research capacity. METHODS-TIMELINES ORI is a 4-year multidisciplinary mixed-methods study informed by a participatory action approach and underpinned by robust community engagement and involvement. Research through 4 case studies in quilombola and favela communities and mental healthcare services in the states of Bahia and São Paulo in Brazil. Completion: research by mid-2026; interventions and evaluation by early 2028; dissemination by mid-2028. ANTICIPATED IMPACT-DISSEMINATION The strength of ORI lies in the collaboration with 12 project partners from the health community, civil society, government and international science community, which will aid rapid dissemination and achieve high impact. The ORI Mental Health Policy Network will disseminate the new evidence on racial and social discrimination in mental health through presentations, open access publications, podcasts, videos and a bilingual website. ORI will establish a sustainable platform for future global mental health researcher leaders and healthcare professionals. ORI directly addresses the UN sustainable development goals by promoting health and wellbeing for all.
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