Shekhar Saxena

Shekhar Saxena is a Professor of the Practice of Global Mental Health at Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Previously, he served as Director of WHO's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (2010–2018) and was part of AIIMS, New Delhi's faculty. His work focuses on strengthening mental health systems globally, suicide prevention, and addressing disparities in mental healthcare access across low- and middle-income countries. He is a key contributor to landmark initiatives like the Lancet Commission on Global Mental Health and Sustainable Development 2018.

Education: Medical degree from AIIMS, New Delhi, followed by psychiatric training. Professional experience includes over two decades at WHO shaping global mental health policies and programs.

Research Interests: Saxena emphasizes evidence-based strategies for mental health promotion, prevention of mental disorders, and improving service accessibility. His work integrates social determinants of health with clinical care, particularly in conflict zones and post-pandemic recovery contexts. Recent efforts include developing WHO guidelines for pre-service healthcare education and evaluating interventions like the SMART Mental Health project in India.

Grants & Collaborations: Leads initiatives funded by global health organizations, including studies on opioid use, prisoner mental health (Swiss Prison Study), and digital mental health tools in Kenya. Collaborates with GlobalMentalHealth@Harvard and institutions worldwide to advance policy and practice.

Key Contributions: Authored over 350 academic papers, co-edited Lancet commissions, and pioneered frameworks for community-delivered mental health care. Advocates for human rights-centered approaches in mental health service delivery.