In our previous ‘Getting to know PLOS Mental Health‘ post we spoke to Gloria Wong – Section Editor for our Community Mental Health section. Here we speak to Vania Martinez who co-leads our Epidemiology of Mental Health section alongside Rahul Shidhaye

Dr. Vania Martínez, director of the Millennium Nucleus to Improve the Mental Health of Adolescents and Youths (Imhay) and Full Professor at Universidad de Chile.

Please tell us a little about yourself

– I am a child and adolescent psychiatrist, doctor in psychotherapy, and full professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Chile. My professional commitments encompass clinical practice, teaching, research, and community outreach. I educate undergraduate and graduate students, training new professionals and researchers. Currently, I lead the Millennium Nucleus to Improve the Mental Health of Adolescents and Youths (Imhay), a Research Center of Excellence funded by the Millennium Science Initiative, a program of the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) of Chile’s Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation. In addition, I contribute as an Adjunct Researcher at the Millennium Institute for Research on Depression and Personality (MIDAP), another esteemed Center of Excellence supported by the Millennium Science Initiative.

I have participated in more than 40 research projects, obtaining public funding mainly for initiatives on prevention and early intervention in anxiety, depression, and suicidal risk in adolescents and young adults. I represent Chile in the WHO World Mental Health International College Student (WMH-ICS) Initiative and participate globally through invitations to conferences and collaborations in international research projects. As a recognized expert on children and adolescents, I often contribute ideas to the Chilean media and advise initiatives led by the Chilean Ministry of Health. I actively influence public policy with my extensive experience.

What are your main areas of interest?

– I am particularly interested in working collaboratively between Academia and Public Policy. Epidemiological studies conducted by the Chilean State, such as the National Health Survey or the National Youth Survey, can be analyzed in greater depth by research centers to help address adolescent and youth mental health challenges. Also, I am interested in working with populations at higher risk of vulnerability or discrimination, such as LGBT+ people, racialized people, migrants, etc. Additionally, it is of particular interest to me to take advantage of digital technologies to disseminate interventions that contribute to the prevention and early intervention of common mental health conditions and suicide risk. I believe it is essential to carry out the interventions in co-design with adolescents and young people.

Why did you agree to join PLOS Mental Health as a Section Editor?

– Two reasons led me to accept being an Editor of PLOS Mental Health. The first is that since its conception, this journal has included Editors from different continents. I think, for example, of the importance of making the research work we do in South America visible. The second is the great emphasis of the perspective of people with lived experience. I believe this is of vital importance, particularly for people who belong to minorities.

What kind of submissions would you like to see in the Community Mental Health section/what do you think are the most pressing questions of your field at the moment?

– During the COVID-19 pandemic, several studies were carried out that pointed to a worsening of the mental health of adolescents and young people. I would like the Epidemiology of Mental Health section of PLOS Mental Health to receive submissions that show the current panorama on different continents and emphasize populations with greater vulnerability. I would also like to receive submissions with mixed methodologies; that is, they include quantitative and qualitative methodologies to delve deeper into the lived experiences that contribute to thinking about solutions and public policies.