Who We Are
WFMH Board Candidates for Election
2025-2027
Andre Faro
Country: Brazil
Region: Latin America
Nominator: Self
Candidate 1000 word statement
I am a Full Professor of Psychology at the Federal University of Sergipe, Brazil, where I have spent over 20 years focused on research, teaching, and mental health advocacy. My work sits at the intersection of health psychology, public health, and public mental health, particularly with vulnerable populations in Brazil and more recently across Latin America and Africa. What drives me is developing practical, evidence-based mental health strategies that work for the communities we serve – and doing so in ways that are affordable and culturally appropriate.
For the past 12 years, I've coordinated the GEPPS Lab (Group of Studies in Psychology and Public Health), where my team tackles suicide prevention, psychological adjustment, common mental disorders, and non-suicidal self-injury. We've pioneered digital tools for mental health surveillance – crucial during COVID-19. Currently, I lead several national research projects funded by Brazil's major agencies (CNPq, CAPES, FAPITEC), focusing on public mental health and machine learning applications. My work extends beyond academia – I collaborate with school systems, municipal health departments, and local NGOs in Sergipe to implement programs that make a real difference. I regularly provide mental health expertise to Brazilian policymakers and have contributed to national guidelines on suicide prevention and pandemic mental health responses. One project I'm particularly proud of involves suicide prevention in Sergipe's public schools, where we train educators and develop early intervention protocols.
I've been involved with the Global Burden of Disease Study since 2016, and since 2024 I serve as a senior collaborator, contributing to worldwide reports on mental and behavioral disorders. This global perspective has been invaluable in understanding how local challenges in Brazil connect to broader patterns worldwide. I was also recently selected as the Fulbright Global Health Chair in Public Mental Health at UC San Diego for 2025-2026, which will deepen my international collaborations and strengthen my capacity to develop large-scale public mental health interventions.
Latin America needs stronger representation in global mental health conversations, and I see serving on the WFMH Board as my opportunity to contribute. The WFMH's mission of connecting stakeholders across regions resonates deeply with me. I'm particularly interested in advancing mental health literacy, accessible psychological care, and community-based programs – especially in low- and middle-income countries where resources are limited but creativity is abundant. This feels like a natural next step: I've spent years translating research into practice locally; now I want to contribute globally.
I'm actively involved in several international organizations. Through the American Psychological Association, I participate in both the Society for Health Psychology (Division 38) and Society for International Psychology (Division 52). I also serve as a mentor with the European Society of Health Psychology and the African Academy of Sciences, plus I'm a member of the Portuguese Society of Health Psychology, Interamerican Society of Psychology, and Brazilian Society of Psychology. I've served three terms as Chair of our Psychology Graduate Program (2013-2015, 2016-2017, 2022-2023) and serve on editorial boards for Frontiers in Psychology, PLOS ONE, PLOS Mental Health, and PsicoMag, reviewing for over 50 scientific journals. I became a Life Member of WFMH in 2023.
If elected to the WFMH Board, I would focus my efforts on several key areas where I believe I can make the most impact. With over 200 published articles and an H-index of 66, I can help strengthen WFMH's scientific communications and ensure our advocacy is grounded in solid evidence. I want to be a strong voice for Latin America and support capacity-building in low- and middle-income countries, particularly around suicide prevention, psychological basic care, digital mental health tools, and community interventions. Through my collaborations in Argentina, Colombia, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Australia, Turkey, and the United States, I can help expand WFMH's global network and promote South-South cooperation. My expertise in digital epidemiology and machine learning can contribute to modernizing how WFMH approaches mental health surveillance and intervention delivery. I also have experience turning research findings into policy recommendations for Brazilian authorities, skills I can apply to WFMH's advocacy work with governments and international organizations.
As a potential WFMH Board Member, I bring multiple professional perspectives: licensed psychologist with clinical and research expertise, Full Professor with extensive mentoring experience (over 40 graduate students), public health researcher specializing in population-level interventions, active participant in global research networks, and someone who translates research into policy recommendations. Through my Fulbright appointment and international collaborations, I've seen how different cultural approaches to mental health can inform global best practices. My key contributions include fluency in English, Portuguese, and Spanish; recognition as a top 2% researcher globally by Stanford University and ranked 5th in Brazil by AD Scientific Index; proven ability to coordinate complex, multi-year initiatives; established relationships with leading institutions worldwide; expertise with digital tools and innovative mental health delivery methods; and understanding of cultural contexts in mental health.
I'm fully available for Board responsibilities – whether meetings are in person, virtual, or hybrid. I have no travel restrictions or time constraints that would interfere with Board duties. My university position actually supports this kind of international service, and I'm used to working across time zones through my various collaborations. I've worked with international teams for years, and I believe the key to effective global collaboration is respectful dialogue and genuine openness to different perspectives.
I deeply believe in WFMH's core principle that mental health is a global challenge requiring global solutions, but one that respects local contexts and innovations. Being recognized as one of Latin America's most influential psychologists by AD Scientific Index brings responsibility, and I see serving on the WFMH Board as one way to fulfill that responsibility. I'd be honored to contribute my experience, networks, and passion for mental health equity to WFMH's continued growth and impact. The world needs more bridges between regions, disciplines, and approaches to mental health.
Candidate additional statement if provided
I would be honored to serve as Regional Vice-President for Latin America. This role fits naturally with my career focus on strengthening mental health across our region. Having worked extensively throughout Latin America, I understand our challenges: limited resources, cultural diversity, and the need for practical solutions. My background includes research collaborations in Argentina and Colombia, plus ongoing projects across Latin American countries. Through the Interamerican Society of Psychology and my research recognition in Latin America, I've built networks that would benefit WFMH's regional initiatives. As Regional Vice-President, I would focus on three areas: strengthening partnerships with national mental health organizations, promoting knowledge exchange between countries, and developing culturally programs that meet international standards. My experience with digital health tools and community programs could bring fresh approaches to regional challenges. I'm committed to ensuring Latin America has a strong voice and that our solutions get international recognition.