Mission
Mental health literacy refers to the knowledge and understanding needed to assess mental health, and recognise mental distress and illness in order to request help and support. In South-East Asia, however, mental health literacy may remain limited due to cultural, social, and structural barriers in conducting mental health research. Moreover, mental health support might be scarce due to the low number of clinical practitioners and stigmatising attitudes towards mental health problems.
The "South-East Asia Mental Health Consortium" (SEAMHC), based at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, seeks to create a collaborative network of researchers, educators, healthcare professionals, and policymakers working together to identify best practices and plan public health initiatives to nurture mental health and reduce stigma associated with mental illness and distress, therefore improving access to mental health care for millions of people in South-East Asia.
The SEAMHC mission aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal
(SDG) 3 "Good Health and Wellbeing", recognized internationally as a critical
component for building resilient communities.
Objectives
The main objectives of the SEAMHC are:
a) Identify and share best practices in mental health research across South-East Asian countries.
b) Develop culturally sensitive approaches to reduce stigma around mental distress and illness.
c) Promote public health initiatives nurturing mental health literacy and promoting access to mental health care across the region.
d) Support capacity-building activities for professionals involved in mental health education and policy development.
e) Facilitate long-term collaborations between academic and healthcare partners, both at regional and international level, to shape mental health policies and initiatives.
On the long-term, work conducted within the SEAMHC will inform the development of targeted education and public health programs and policies aimed at improving mental health literacy and access to mental health care in South-East Asia.
Activities & Membership
We will foster multi-disciplinary, collaborative, and participatory research in several areas, including:
-
Evidence synthesis (e.g., systematic reviews, meta-analyses, policy briefs) to identify effective interventions and initiatives that are valid either across countries or locally)
-
Qualitative research (e.g., focus groups and interviews) to explore attitudes, beliefs, and stigma related to mental health in different socio-cultural contexts and countries
-
Quantitative research (e.g., surveys and longitudinal datasets) to assess mental health outcomes (including mental health literaacty) in diverse and international samples.
-
Involvement of lived experience expert in research activities and policymaking
SEAMHC members will have access to training, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities (including involvement in international and local funding proposals).
If you are interested in becoming a member of the SEAMHC, please consider registering for the next SEAMHC Summer School 2025 or get in touch via email.
Founding Team
Dr. Hoo Keat Wong (University of Nottingham Malaysia) and Dr. Alessio Bellato (University of Southampton UK) secured a Networking Grant from the Academy of Medical Sciences in March 2025, which will support the organisation of the inaugural SEAMHC Summer School 2025.
Their collaboration was previously supported by an IBRO/Wellcome Trust Neuroscience Capacity Accelerator for Mental Health (NCAMH) grant aimed at enhancing neuroscience-research related to mental health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), with a focus on building research capacity and accelerating the potential for impactful research programs. Read more here.
During the Summer School in August 2025, attendees will be invited to become members of the consortium and leaders of specific working groups. Their photos and bios will be added to this page as soon as they will be available.
Dr. Alessio Bellato
Clinical Psychologist & Lecturer
Dr. Alessio Bellato is a clinical psychologist with a passion for research, teaching and communication. His research investigates the clinical utility of objective markers of emotional dysregulation to identify children and young people experiencing mental health and emotional challenges, and monitor treatment outcomes. Before academia, Dr. Bellato worked as a clinical psychologist in private and public health services, and was involved in diagnostic assessment and delivery of psychological interventions.
Dr. Wong Hoo Keat
Assistant Professor in Cognitive Psychology
Dr. Wong Hoo Keat is a cognitive psychologist interested in cross-cultural emotional face perception and face recognition. With the use of eye trackers, he investigates how interracial contact, cultural factors, and media exposure may interact to influence the underlying perceptual mechanisms of human face processing. More recently, he has adopted combined techniques – eye-tracking, encephalography, and heart rate variability – to study the attentional bias and emotional face processing in individuals with depression and anxiety disorders, and examine the psycho-physiological effects of mindfulness breathing meditation in a Malaysian context.
This page presents the current members of SEAMHC, including researchers and academics across different disciplines.
Our network is continuously growing and aims to promote interdisciplinary collaboration.
Dr. Shue Ling Chong
Associate Professor in Psychology, University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Dr. Shue Ling Chong is an Associate Professor in the School of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. Her research focuses on the well-being of children, adolescents, and young people, with particular interests in digital behaviour, positive youth development, parenting, psychometric assessment, and applied psychology. She is actively involved in translating research into practice through public engagement, media dissemination, and policy recommendations, including collaborations with the National Population and Family Development Board Malaysia to support evidence-based mental health and family policies.
Associate Professor in Department of Public Health, School of Medicine
Dr. Arulita Ika Fibriana
Dr. Bunna Phoeun
Caritas Seedling of Hope Community Mental Health
Dr. Bunna Phoeun is a clinical psychologist and co-lecturer in the Master of Clinical Psychology programme. He is an experienced counselor and therapist with expertise in working with both adults and children. His clinical practice focuses on providing psychological assessment, counseling, and psychotherapy, particularly for individuals who have experienced trauma. He specializes in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and EMDR-Trauma supervision, certified by HAP-Trauma Aid Germany, and integrates evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), clinical assessment, stabilization techniques, and case management into his practice. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Phoeun has extensive experience in developing community mental health projects, conducting psychological training, workshops, clinical supervision, and self-care programmes for counselors and therapists. His professional interests also include psychological research, questionnaire development, interviews, observation, data collection, and quantitative statistical analysis.
Dr. Arulita Ika Fibriana is an Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia, and a medical doctor with expertise in epidemiology, cognitive development, child and adolescent health, and mental health. Her research focuses on the epidemiology of mental health disorders, particularly among children, adolescents, and university students, with interests in understanding their prevalence, risk factors, and prevention. By integrating clinical practice with public health research, Dr. Fibriana is committed to advancing evidence-based approaches to mental health promotion and improving the well-being of communities through research and education.
Senior Consultant of National University Hospital, National University Singapore
Dr. Chee Tji Tjian
Dr Chee is a medical graduate from the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom. Shortly after graduating, whilst training as a junior doctor, he obtained membership to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow (MRCS, RCPSG). He went on to London to pursue his career interest in Psychiatry. He completed his core psychiatry training in the Maudsley Hospital (South London and Maudsley NHS Trust), and whilst there, also obtained a Masters in Psychiatric Research (Merit award) at the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College Hospital. He completed his specialist training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, London. At the Tavistock Clinic, he obtained a Diploma in Systemic Approaches to working with individuals, families and organisations. Dr Chee has a special interest in working with young people, and in a liaison setting which combines both physical and mental health. He believes good psychiatric clinical care involves putting the patient at the centre of a bio-psycho-social treatment model, utilising a systemic approach when considering emergent difficulties and challenges.
Crystal Ng Kah Yan
Master in Clinical Psychology Student
Miss Crystal Ng Kah Yan is a Master in Clinical Psychology student at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), with research interests in neuropsychology, neuroscience, clinical psychology, psychotherapy, and attentional bias. She has conducted cognitive neuropsychology research using eye-tracking technology to investigate ageing, cognitive flexibility, and executive functioning, and is currently undertaking a thesis examining attentional bias through eye-tracking methods. Alongside her clinical training, she actively participates in mental health workshops, volunteer initiatives, and professional development activities to strengthen her clinical competencies and cross-cultural understanding of mental health practice. Crystal is particularly interested in bridging neuroscience and clinical psychology, and in advancing the use of innovative technologies such as eye-tracking in mental health research and assessment within Southeast Asia.
Director of Clinical Psychology Program, Chair of Educational Sciences Department
Dr. Dang Hoang Minh
Dr. Dang Hoang Minh is the Director of the Clinical Psychology Program and Chair of the Department of Educational Sciences at Vietnam National University. A leading figure in child and adolescent clinical psychology in Vietnam, he played a key role in establishing the country's first master's and PhD programmes in the field. His research focuses on school-based mental health interventions, mental health literacy, cultural adaptation, and implementation science. Dr. Minh has led pioneering national studies on child mental health, developed Vietnam's first school-based mental health programme, and contributed to national policy development for clinical psychology. He is committed to advancing mental health research, professional training, and evidence-based mental health services in Vietnam and across Southeast Asia.
Dr. Husna Binti Hassan Basri
Felosiswazah & Psychiatry Unit of USIM
Dr. Husna Hassan Basri is a lecturer with expertise in adult, child, and adolescent mental health. She specializes in evidence-based psychotherapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), integrated with Islamic perspectives. She holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Exeter and has advanced training in developmental disorders and clinical psychology. Her research focuses on neurodivergence and neurodiversity, child mental health, psychophysiology, and cognitive behavioural therapies. Dr. Husna is also affiliated with the ATTEND and Nurture-U research groups at the University of Exeter and is a member of the Malaysian Allied Health Professions Council (MAHPC) and the Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychology (MSCP).
Dean of Socian Sciences and Humanities of Muhammadiyah University of Bandung Indonesia
Dr. Irianti Usman
Dr. Irianti Usman, M.A. is the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at Muhammadiyah University of Bandung, Indonesia. With a background in educational psychology, her current interests include Islamic psychology, neuropsychology, and cross-cultural perspectives on mental health. She serves in the Association of Islamic Psychology, where she oversees international relations, and leads the Knowledge Development Division of the Indonesian Association of Educational Psychology. Her work is dedicated to advancing mental health education, fostering international collaboration, and promoting culturally responsive approaches to psychological research and practice.
Dr. Isyah Rahma Dian
Clinical Clerkship at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National Central General Hospital (RSCM), Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia
Dr. Isyah Rahma Dian is a Clinical Clerkship trainee at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National Central General Hospital (RSCM), Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia. Her academic and clinical interests include mental health, community health, and medical education. Throughout her training, she has actively participated in community outreach, health promotion initiatives, and research related to psychological well-being and public health. She is committed to advancing interdisciplinary collaboration between medicine and mental health to improve patient care and community well-being.
Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology, School of Social and Health Sciences
Dr. Joanna Barlas
Dr. Joanna is an Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology and a Chartered Clinical Psychologist at James Cook University Singapore (JCUS). She lectures in the professional clinical psychology programme, where she is responsible for coursework teaching as well as the clinical and research supervision of trainee clinical psychologists and PhD students. Prior to joining JCUS in 2013, she worked for five years in the UK National Health Service, specialising in the treatment of adults with severe and enduring mental health difficulties and offending behaviour in both secure hospital and community settings. Her research focuses on the mental health and wellbeing of marginalised communities, using qualitative methodologies to better understand lived experiences and inform clinical practice and policy. She also has a strong research interest in schema therapy, investigating how early life experiences shape adaptive and maladaptive functioning in adulthood, as well as the relationships between trauma, mental health, and risk behaviours.
Dr. Kao Sovandara
Associate professor, Psychology Department of Royal University of Phnom Penh
Dr. Kao Sovandara is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. His work focuses on mental health promotion, capacity building, and research, with particular interests in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, suicide prevention, and culturally informed mental health care. He has collaborated with the World Health Organization to provide mental health support for vulnerable populations and to deliver training on suicide prevention, anxiety management, and psychosocial support. Through his research, teaching, and advocacy, Dr. Kao is committed to advancing evidence-based mental health services and raising mental health awareness in Cambodia.
Chair, Psychology Department of Ateneo de Manila University
Dr. Karina Therese G. Fernandez
Dr. Karina Therese G. Fernandez is Chair of the Psychology Department at Ateneo de Manila University and a clinical psychologist, researcher, and educator. Her clinical and research interests include mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, depression, anxiety, chronic stress, and spirituality in psychological practice. She is a certified practitioner in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), mindfulness teaching, and Narrative Therapy. Dr. Fernandez has published extensively on mindfulness-based interventions, Narrative Therapy, schizophrenia, depression, and psychotherapy in peer-reviewed journals. She is committed to advancing evidence-based clinical practice, fostering cross-cultural psychological research, and training the next generation of mental health practitioners and researchers.
Dr. Khadizah Haji Abdul Mumin
Dr. Khadizah Haji Abdul Mumin is a Senior Assistant Professor at the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), a Research Associate at the Centre for Advanced Research (CARe), UBD, and an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at La Trobe University, Australia. Her research focuses on self-care, mental health and psychological well-being across the lifespan, with particular interests in reproductive health, miscarriage, ageing, retirement transition, workplace health and safety, and palliative care. She has led numerous nationally and internationally funded research projects and has published more than 60 peer-reviewed papers. Through her research and community engagement, Dr. Khadizah is committed to advancing evidence-based, culturally responsive approaches to mental health promotion, self-care, and public health across Southeast Asia.
1) Senior Assistant Professor PAPRSBIHS UBD, 2) Research Associate CARe UBD, 3) Adjunct Senior Lecturer
Associate Professor, Psychology Department of Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), Cambodia
Dr. Khann Sareth
Dr. Khann Sareth is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), Cambodia, and a clinical psychologist specializing in the mental health of adolescents and young adults. He is actively involved in promoting mental health awareness in Cambodia and has contributed to both academic research and community-based mental health initiatives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he provided free psychological consultations to university students, supporting those experiencing anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. His work also emphasizes the impact of work-related stress and the importance of work–life balance in promoting psychological well-being. Dr. Sareth is committed to advancing culturally responsive, evidence-based mental health practice and to training the next generation of mental health professionals in Southeast Asia.
Dr. Luan Nguyen Huynh
Associate Lecturer, Program Advisor of RMIT University Vietnam
Dr. Luan Nguyen Huynh is a lecturer in psychology who holds a Master's degree in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology from Swansea University and a bachelor's degree from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City. His work focuses on clinical psychology, mental health, and professional training. Recognized as an Excellent Lecturer in 2019 and 2020 by Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, he has established strong collaborations with hospitals, counselling and psychotherapy centres, and non-governmental organizations to support mental health care, education, and community-based psychological services.
Dr. Lucy Tan is a Clinical Psychologist and academic with extensive experience across Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Singapore. She has expertise in individual and family therapy across the lifespan, and her research focuses on the development and treatment of mental health conditions, as well as bridging the gap between research and clinical practice. Dr. Tan has held senior leadership positions in healthcare and academia, received several prestigious research awards, and developed the evidence-based Taming the Adolescent Mind© programme, which has been implemented in youth mental health services across Australia and Hong Kong.
Dr. Maulana A. Empitu
Researcher at Translational Medicine Research Group, Faculty of Medicine
Dr. Maulana A. Empitu is a researcher with the Translational Medicine Research Group at the Faculty of Medicine, Airlangga University, Indonesia. His work focuses on the intersection of infectious diseases and mental health, with research interests in community-based interventions, evidence synthesis, health systems strengthening, and mental health in low-resource settings. He has led projects integrating mental health into tuberculosis care, conducted systematic reviews on psychiatric outcomes in infectious diseases, and contributed to capacity-building initiatives for health workers and medical students. His research promotes integrated, evidence-based approaches to improving mental health care for vulnerable populations.
Lecturer of Behavioral science research unit
Dr. Nanchatsan Sakunpong
Dr.Nanchatsan holds a PhD in Applied Behavioral Science Research. Her research focus on the application of Satir psychotherapy to substance use clients. She graduated the Bachelor and Master degree on clinical and counseling psychology and received the training certificate in one year program of Satir psychotherapy from Satir Global Network. She has over ten years counseling and psychotherapy experience with a wide range of clients in a variety of treatment settings including psychiatric department of general hospital, drug dependence treatment center and youth detention center. She has also provided counseling service for university students and organizational employee. She can provide individual, family and group counseling with specialty areas including depression, anxiety, substance use as well as family or marital conflict.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Mai Hien
Executive Deputy President cum Secretary General
Dr. Nguyen Thi Mai Hien is the Executive Deputy President and Secretary General of the Vietnam Psychotherapy Association. She is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and mental health policy advocate with expertise in psychotherapy services, child and adolescent mental health, caregiver resilience, community-based mental health interventions, and evidence-based psychological care. Her work spans clinical practice, research, capacity building, and national mental health policy development, including collaborations with the World Health Organization and international research partners. Dr. Nguyen is committed to strengthening mental health systems through evidence-informed practice, professional training, and culturally responsive mental health services in Vietnam and across Southeast Asia.
Assoc. Prof. at Department of Psychology of Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP)
Dr. Nil Ean
Dr. Nil Ean is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), Cambodia. With over 25 years of experience in mental health, his work focuses on trauma-related mental health disorders, PTSD, trauma treatment, psychosocial disability, substance use disorders, and underserved populations. He has played a key role in developing national guidelines and training programmes on psychological first aid, trauma-informed care, and mental health services in collaboration with government ministries. He is also actively involved in promoting evidence-based trauma interventions, including EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), while leading capacity-building initiatives for mental health professionals across Cambodia.
Dr. Paul Victor Patinadan
1) Assistant Professor of Psychology - Psychology Programme 2) Health Professions Educator - National Healthcare Group 3) Clinical Teacher, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine
Dr. Paul Victor Patinadan is a psychologist and researcher with nearly a decade of experience in health and wellbeing research. He received his PhD in Psychology from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and is an Association for Death Education and Counselling (ADEC) certified Thanatologist. His research focuses on psycho-socio-spiritual interventions, end-of-life care, grief and bereavement, implementation science, and holistic health education. As a mixed-methods researcher, he has contributed to a wide range of projects exploring patient and caregiver experiences, community and critical health psychology, medical humanities, advance care planning, and healthcare programme evaluation. His work aims to bridge research and practice by developing and evaluating evidence-based interventions that improve health and wellbeing across diverse care settings.
Head of Psychology Department of Royal University of Phnom Penh
Dr. Phan ChanPeou
Phan ChanPeou is the Head of the Department of Psychology at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He is dedicated to advancing mental health awareness and strengthening psychological services, particularly for young people in higher education. His work focuses on developing psychology education, training future mental health professionals, and promoting counselling and psychotherapy to support community mental health needs. He is also committed to fostering regional and international collaborations to enhance mental health research, education, and practice in Cambodia.
Dr. Puvessha Jegathisan
Deputy Head of Department, Programme Lead Master of Clinical Psychology & Department of Psychology
Dr. Puvessha is an academic and registered clinical psychologist with over seven years of teaching experience and currently leads the Master in Clinical Psychology programme. She supervises clinical psychology trainees in both their clinical practice and research and is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychology. She has extensive experience in Malaysia and Australia providing evidence-based psychological interventions across clinical, correctional, and community settings. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Puvessha is actively involved in promoting the mental health of refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia and is committed to reducing stigma through mental health awareness, education, and community engagement.
Program Manager, Department of Psychology, School of Science, Engineering & Technology, RMIT Vietnam
Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Quynh Anh
Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Quynh Anh is the Program Manager of Psychology at RMIT University Vietnam and a lecturer and researcher with over 15 years of experience in psychology and education. Her research focuses on school, youth, workplace, and community mental health, with particular interests in positive psychology, resilience, emotional intelligence, and self-compassion. She has led and contributed to interdisciplinary research on mental health, education, and public health, and has received multiple national and international awards in recognition of her research and academic excellence. In addition to her academic work, Dr. Anh has extensive experience in psychological counselling, project management, and mental health programme development in both Vietnam and Australia.
Dr. Rungrot Tatiyawongwiwat
Project Lead and Co-Founder of Peace Developer
Dr. Rungrot Tatiyawongwiwat is the Project Lead and Co-Founder of Peace Developer, with expertise in social work, mental health advocacy, peacebuilding, migration, and youth empowerment. His work focuses on promoting mental health, emotional resilience, and digital peacebuilding among young people and marginalized communities across Southeast Asia. He has led cross-border initiatives integrating mental health into peacebuilding and social justice, and was selected as a Thai representative for the ASEAN–Australia Youth Mental Health Fellowship by Orygen Global. Rungrot is committed to developing culturally responsive, community-based approaches that strengthen youth wellbeing, resilience, and regional collaboration.
Assistant Professor at School of Psychology of University of Nottingham Malaysia
Dr. Sahithya Bernagodu Rameshgowda
Dr. Sahithya BR is a clinical psychologist registered with the Rehabilitation Council of India, with over a decade of experience in clinical practice, research, and teaching. She earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology with research focusing on parenting, child temperament, and anxiety disorders, and has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults across both public and private mental health settings. Her expertise includes psychological assessment, diagnostic formulation, and evidence-based psychotherapy for a wide range of mental health conditions, including ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, anxiety, depression, and OCD. Throughout her career, she has combined clinical practice with research, supervision, and the training of future clinical psychologists, while actively contributing to community mental health initiatives and stigma reduction. She is currently a faculty member at the School of Psychology, University of Nottingham Malaysia, where she teaches mental health-related courses and conducts research to advance mental health awareness and practice.
Dr. Anne Noor Sri Juwaneeta Jamaludin
Deputy Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts
Dr Anne Jamaludin is a public health specialist, working in areas of mental health. She is also a registered and licensed counselor in Malaysia and is a registered Clinical Psychologist. She has more than 5 years of experience in providing counseling and psychotherapy sessions with clients from diverse backgrounds. Dr Anne is also trained in providing art therapy and sandplay therapy. Being a Clinical Psychologist, Dr Anne also conducts testing and assessment such as IQ test, test for ADHD (children and adults), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), personality testing (in career counseling). Dr Anne is also actively engaged in teaching and research as she is also an academic with HELP University. She does a lot of research on adolescent mental health, psychometric assessment, child maltreatment, to name a few. Her passion is working with women and children within the area of domestic and child abuse and also special needs children and those within the marginalized community. She uses mainly CBT, Reality and SFBT approach in her counseling sessions.
Co-Founder of P.E.N.T.A.S Foundation Ltd
Dr. Suryakenchana Bin Omar
Dr. Taing Sopheap
Deputy Director of Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Cambodia (TPO Cambodia)
Dr. Taing Sopheap is the Deputy Director of Transcultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO) Cambodia, with over 15 years of experience in mental health research, programme management, monitoring and evaluation. He has collaborated with international academic institutions and contributed to research on trauma, grief, testimonial therapy, and the long-term impacts of the Khmer Rouge. His work also includes securing and managing international grants to expand mental health and psychosocial support services for vulnerable populations, including survivors of gender-based violence, children, and ethnic minority communities. He is committed to strengthening community-based mental health services and advancing evidence-informed practice in Cambodia.
Dr. Suryakenchana Bin Omar is the Co-Founder of P.E.N.T.A.S Foundation Ltd and a mental health advocate with lived experience of anxiety and depression. As a person in recovery, he is committed to supporting individuals with mental health conditions and their caregivers through peer support, community engagement, and advocacy. He also volunteers with Caregivers Alliance Ltd, providing support to caregivers while promoting greater awareness, resilience, and collaboration within the mental health community.
Lecturer (Department of Psychology and Counselling); Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Tay Kok Wai
Dr. Teow Chean Khai
President of Malaysia Educational Psychology Society (MEPS)
Teow Chean Khai is the President of the Malaysia Educational Psychology Society (MEPS) and an Educational Psychologist with over 10 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and young adults with special educational needs and mental health conditions. He specializes in psychoeducational assessment and intervention, with expertise in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Social Thinking. In addition to his clinical work, he is actively involved in teaching, research, and professional training, with publications in educational psychology, gifted education, and special needs education. As President of MEPS, he is committed to advancing professional standards and strengthening educational psychology practice in Malaysia.
Research Program Manager, Tufts University School of Medicine (Department of Public Health and Community Medicine) - remote; Volunteer with Gamlangchai (Laos)
Dr. Vanisa Senesathith
Dr. Tay Kok Wai is a lecturer in the Department of Psychology and Counselling at Tunku Abdul Rahman University and a Clinical Psychologist at Pantai Hospital Ipoh. His clinical and research interests include neurodevelopmental disorders, neurocognitive disorders, depression, anxiety, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and early intervention. He has extensive experience in autism assessment, school-based mental health, and community psychological services, with a particular focus on culturally sensitive practice. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Tay is actively involved in research, postgraduate supervision, and the development of evidence-based mental health initiatives that bridge clinical practice, education, and community care.
Vanisa Senesathith is a Research Program Manager at the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, and a volunteer with Gamlangchai, the first community mental health organization in Laos. Her research focuses on community-based mental health interventions, task-sharing, child and youth mental health, parenting, and digital mental health. She has contributed to international research on trauma-informed interventions, parenting, and cross-cultural mental health, with experience spanning Southeast Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the United States. Vanisa is committed to advancing evidence-based, community-driven mental health programmes and expanding access to mental health services in low-resource settings, particularly in Laos.
Interested in joining SEAMHC?
We welcome researchers and academics to join our growing network.
If you would like to become a member and join our research network, please register here.