For the past year, King’s Global Health Partnerships has been working with partners in Somaliland to support the development of the national mental health system, under the Copilots research project.
In this article, we meet some of the co-researchers from Amoud University, who have been supported by the programme to develop their qualitative research capacity and skills, to better understand the experiences of service users and develop interventions that meet their needs.
Copilots mental health research project team
Mental health challenges in Somaliland
Somaliland has one of the highest prevalences of mental health conditions (MHC) worldwide. By WHO estimates, one in three people has an MHC, with addiction, depression and psychosis the most prevalent (Odenwald et al 2005; Mahamoud et al 2021).
In Somaliland, there are no formal community-based mental health services, no drug or alcohol rehabilitation services and no child or adolescent mental health services are available. Much care is provided by private, residential, faith-based facilities known as cilaajs. Many people with MHCs remain there for years.
Services to treat MHCs are frequently of low quality and rarely provide respectful, rights-based care. Due to this and a high level of stigma, many people with MHCs choose not to use any form of care – either public or faith-based – resulting in many people with MHCs remaining untreated at home.
Qualitative research capacity building
There is currently a dearth of evidence, particularly qualitative, on mental health and mental health services in Somaliland. There is also a low level of capacity among Somaliland-based researchers to conduct qualitative, particularly ethnographic, research. In Copilots we are seeking to address these two issues together by training Research Assistants in qualitative methods, ethnography, observational skills and qualitative analysis. By using these skills, the RAs have collected evidence on the issues we are interested in and are currently in the process of analysing the evidence and writing it up. A series of qualitative articles on mental health in Somaliland, led by the RAs, will be published in the coming months.
Beyond the programme, this research capacity building is contributing to the development of future research leaders in Somaliland.
Meet the mental health Research Assistants
Dr Abdirahman Omer Ali
Dr Abdirahman Omer Ali, Research Assistant
"While working as a research assistant at Hargeisa Group Hospital for the Copilots project, I learned a great deal about qualitative methods through hands on observation of people with mental health conditions and their families. I also saw how various health staff—psychologists, social workers, storekeepers and others—play different roles in patient care.
I gained practical experience in transcription, coding and grouping themes, and now I am fortunate to be part of preparing a qualitative paper with guidance from respected professors including Chris Willott from King’s College London in the UK, Fatumo Osman from Dalarna University in Sweden and Yusuf Hared from Amoud University in Somaliland. This work has deepened my research skills and boosted my confidence to pursue further work in mental health research." - Dr Abdirahman Omer Ali
Dr Abdisalam Hassan
Dr Abdisalam Hassan, Research Assistant
"Working as a Research Assistant, particularly during data collection in the cilaajs (traditional mental health centres), has significantly strengthened my research skills. I have gained practical experience in ethical recruitment, informed consent procedures, capacity assessment, conducting semi-structured interviews, and observation techniques. This hands-on involvement has deepened my understanding of qualitative research methods and the importance of conducting research with sensitivity and respect, especially when working with people with mental health conditions and their caregivers.
The project has also improved my confidence in engaging with diverse stakeholders, including cilaaj managers, health workers, caregivers, and community members. I have developed stronger communication skills, greater awareness of ethical principles in mental health research, and a clearer understanding of care pathways within both public and faith-based sectors.
Participating in Copilots has broadened my professional perspective and strengthened my commitment to mental health research and service improvement in Somaliland. It has also enhanced my capacity for future academic and research opportunities." - Dr Abdisalam Hassan
Dr Mouna Ahmed Abdillahi
Dr Mouna Ahmed Abdillahi, Research Assistant
“The Copilots project is rewriting the narrative of mental health in Somaliland. We are no longer just treating mental health; we are transforming it. This project proves that when we build care around our own culture, we don’t just create protocols, we save lives with dignity. This is the future of healthcare in our country!” - Dr Mouna Ahmed Abdillahi
Dr Muhiadin Abdi
Dr Muhiadin Abdi, Research Assistant
"My participation in the Copilots project has greatly strengthened my skills in qualitative research, including interviewing, transcription, coding, and thematic analysis.
Working in primary health care settings helped me better understand mental health challenges at community level and improved my confidence in research and academic writing. I worked closely with people living with mental health conditions and their families, which helped me better understand their real-life challenges. I also learned how different health workers support patient care at community level.
Mental health is my long-term career path, and I am committed to contributing meaningfully to research and publication that can benefit our community." - Dr Muhiadin Abdi
Dr Amin Yusuf
Dr Amin Yusuf, Research Assistant
"Since participating in the CoPilotS training last February, it has been an incredibly rewarding experience working alongside like-minded RAs and talented mentors. Throughout the process, I have continuously developed my understanding of qualitative research methods, refining my skills in observation, interviewing, and engaging meaningfully with people.
I have also greatly enjoyed learning about data coding and analysis. This experience has taught me that some skills cannot be mastered simply by watching a YouTube video — they require hands-on practice and active engagement. Being directly involved in the research process has deepened both my competence and my confidence.
Moreover, this journey has broadened my perspective on the state of mental health in my country. It has highlighted how urgent the challenges are and how much progress is still needed. Nevertheless, I remain hopeful and optimistic about the future." - Dr Amin Yusuf
Theory of Change workshop
In April 2026, the Research Assistants and other key stakeholders in the project, including mental health service users and providers, came together for a Theory of Change workshop. This is a key aspect of the research that helps to frame our understanding of the problems and begin the process of devising solutions.
This will be followed by the development of a systems intervention later in the year, based on the perspectives of Somaliland service providers and users. Lastly, we intend to pilot an intervention in early 2027 and evaluate it using process evaluation.