Breaking down academic barriers
A testimonial of Rita Tayeh - MHPSS expert
With a research master’s in Neuropsychology and a University Diploma in the Development and Organization of Mental Health Services, Rita Tayeh is no stranger to the MHPSS field. However, when it came to academic publishing, she felt there was still a gap to be bridged. That’s why she joined Intervention Journal’s academic writing workshop.
Rita explains: “I have worked on MHPSS programming, service integration, and policy development, but translating these experiences into a structured, publishable format was a challenge. I joined this workshop because I wanted to serve the MHPSS field in a better way by contributing to research and knowledge sharing as well.”
From field experiences to research insights
Drawing from rich field experiences, Rita found no shortage of inspiration for her writing: “I have seen so many incredible field experiences, innovative community-based solutions, and lessons learned that remain undocumented simply because professionals in the field lack the technical support to write and publish their findings.”
The academic writing workshop offered many practical tools, such as how to structure an article, choose the right journal and respond to reviewers. However, for Rita, the most valuable aspect was the ongoing support. “The mentorship continues beyond the training, which ensures that participants continue developing and, eventually, submit their papers. Writing and publishing can be a long and sometimes overwhelming journey, but knowing I can access continued support gives me the confidence to move forward. Besides, being surrounded by like-minded peers from diverse backgrounds, has created a collaborative environment where we learn from each other’s experiences.”
A milestone achieved
Rita, along with her colleague İrem Umuroğlu, is now co-authoring a paper on the multi-sectoral integration of MHPSS—an issue they have seen play out across various humanitarian settings. “Irem and I have observed significant gaps in how MHPSS is integrated into broader humanitarian responses despite being recognised as a priority. By giving insights from the field, our paper aims to provide practical recommendations.”
Publishing her first academic article marks a major step in her professional journey. “This workshop was the perfect opportunity to break down the barriers of academic publishing and gave me the confidence to finally start working toward a goal I had put off for a long time: my first academic article for publication, which is a milestone in my professional journey.”
Supporting others to do the same
“The workshop will also benefit the MHPSS actors I support during my deployments, and I now feel better equipped to guide them through the process.” Her paper is set to be submitted to Intervention—a platform that aligns with her mission.
Rita concludes: “As Intervention journal is known for valuing field-driven, evidence-based research, publishing in this journal will ensure that our findings reach the practitioners, policymakers, and researchers who can use them to improve MHPSS integration in humanitarian settings.”
Rita participated in the Academic Writing Workshop in Ethiopia, which ARQ International designed in collaboration with Intervention journal, the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team, and the World Health Organisation. We and our partners are grateful for their support in stimulating the transformative power of inclusive research and advocacy.
