For Chizimuzo Okoli, Ph.D., offering his expertise to address global mental health as a Fulbright Specialist was the opportunity of a lifetime. 

The Fulbright Specialist Program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, supports U.S. professionals and academics in project-based exchanges at host institutions worldwide. Okoli, a professor at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing, received a Fulbright Specialist award and in July went to Chiayi, Taiwan, where he was hosted by the Chang Gung University of Science and Technology (CGUST) School of Nursing.

“I’ve always dreamed of exploring mental health and wellbeing from a global perspective,” Okoli said. “Having resided, taught and conducted research in several countries, the Fulbright Specialist program was a unique opportunity to lend my expertise in contributing to address global mental health issues.”

CGUST is a private university funded by the Formosa Plastic Group, founded by businessman and philanthropist, Yong-Ching Wang. The Chiayi branch of CGUST was established in 2004 and is situated in Puzi City, Chiayi County, Taiwan. Okoli was specifically invited by the host institution to serve as a consultant, provide technical assistance and expand upon opportunities for future scholarly and educational exchange for students, faculty and staff between both host and home institutions.

During the visit, Okoli — who serves as the executive director of the Behavioral Health and Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BHWELL) program at the College of Nursing — provided consultation and technical assistance to the CGUST Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center. He led a collaborative presentation and discussion on translational science and the BHWELL program, which aims to promote behavioral health and wellness among those facing behavioral health challenges.

This discussion focused on examples of translational science as an approach to address gaps in mental health research. Researchers from the CGUST Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center, representing different disciplines, discussed their current pedagogical approaches to teaching research as well as employing various methods to address environmental, lung and mental health issues. This discussion generated potential collaborative research projects using translational science approaches.

"It was invigorating to discuss translational science as an approach to foster team science,” Okoli said. “Our discussions highlighted several cultural considerations when conducting research. For example, we considered how certain religious and cultural practices, such as the traditional burning of incense, may cause inflammation that impacts both lung and mental health. This presents a very interesting area of research to understand environmental impacts of socio-normative practices within a social determinants of mental health framework — and how to translate such findings into public health interventions that foster safer, healthier environments while honoring cultural norms.”

On July 17, Okoli had the opportunity to reflect on challenges to mental health among vulnerable groups with nurse leaders at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. He presented on “Crucial I.D.E.A.S to support migrant mental health.”

With a growing migrant worker population in Taiwan, the government has become increasingly aware of the unique mental health challenges within this important workforce. When seeking health care, migrant workers often encounter several barriers related to language issues, cultural expectations of care and stigmatization. Okoli addressed key principles on supporting migrant workers’ engagement in mental health services and the professional role of nursing in advocating for inclusive, diverse, equitable, accessible and de-stigmatized care.

“Challenges to accessing health care among migrant populations in Taiwan are similar to what we observe in immigrant and migrant populations within the U.S.,” Okoli said. “By adopting inclusive practices that recognize the importance of diversity, equity, accessibility, and de-stigmatization of mental illness and psychiatric care delivery, nurses can be leaders in promoting mental health in vulnerable populations.”

Finally, Okoli was invited to tour psychiatric-mental health services at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and the Chiayi Branch of the Taichung Veterans General Hospital. The tours included a discussion of the role of psychiatric-mental health nursing in Taiwan and the influence of the discipline of nursing within psychiatric care settings.

The visit of the psychiatric institutions fostered dialogues on governmental approaches and responsibility in fostering efficient health care systems for the care of people living with mental health challenges. The dialogue also addressed cultural aspects of social determinants of mental health; particularly the tension between de-institutionalization and integration of people living with serious mental health challenges within communities.

“It is not surprising that the goals of psychiatric-mental health care are the same among nurses in Taiwan and the U.S.,” Okoli said. “Yet, the stigma associated with caring for those with mental health challenges and the limited available resources for providing care to this population are the unfortunate realities we also face. Nevertheless, the more centralized health care delivery system in Taiwan, as compared to the U.S., fosters a robust model of coordinated care for patients. Visiting the psychiatric care services in Taiwan has broadened my perspective on the importance of working towards such integrative models of care that considers the unique needs of those living with serious mental health challenges.”

Okoli hopes to advance the mission of the Fulbright program by serving as a mentor to support future faculty and students to apply for the opportunities it presents.

“I am truly thankful to Dr. Tom Kelly, chair of the University of Kentucky Department of Behavioral Sciences and Dr. Tim Barnes, executive director of Partnerships and Research at the University of Kentucky International Center, for supporting my application to the Fulbright Specialist program. I am also grateful to Dr. Gia Mudd-Martin, associate dean of Research and Dr. Rosalie Mainous, dean at the College of Nursing, for supporting my visit to CGUST,” Okoli said.

“Furthermore, my visit was also strongly endorsed by Dr. Marc Woods, chief nursing officer-Behavioral Health and Dr. Gwen Moreland, chief nurse executive, UK Healthcare. Finally, I am ever grateful to the Fulbright program for this incredible opportunity and CGUST, especially Dr. Su-Er Guo, Dr. Rong-Mei Hong and Dr. Miao-Ching Chi for being amazing hosts. I hope many more University of Kentucky students, staff and faculty will apply for the Fulbright program to represent our institution globally.”