1. Proposing policy strategies to eliminate Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) among PWID
Organisation
Leadership Institute for Global Health Transformation
Funder(s)
Gilead Sciences Inc.
Dates
March 2023 – ongoing
Role
Researcher, internal project manager
Summary
In support of the WHO’s 2030 Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) elimination strategy, I collaborated on a research & policy project for the elimination of HCV in Singapore and Asia Pacific. I acted as project manager within the National University of Singapore, leading a systematic review of HCV elimination in 5 high-income APAC countries (Australia, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Singapore). This was supplemented by an investigation of HCV epidemiology, screening and treatment practices in Singapore.
I helped to co-organise various discussions with local experts to advocate on HCV elimination to the Singaporean Ministry of Health. Our team developed a set of policy, clinical and financing recommendations for a national HCV elimination strategy, focusing on micro-elimination among PWID (Persons Who Inject Drugs) and other vulnerable groups.
2. Reporting on mental health, addiction and drug history & policy
Organisation
POINTS
Dates
January 2023 – ongoing
Role
Contributing editor
Summary
In 2023, I was appointed as contributing editor at POINTS – a blog on the history of drugs, alcohol and pharmaceuticals funded by the Alcohol & Drugs History Society. I regularly report on various issues in drug policy & history, focusing on addictions/mental health and on the drug policy landscape of East Asia.
Selected outputs
From colonial indifference to capital punishment: A history of drug use and responses in the Malay peninsula (March 2023). Online article.
Global psychiatry, ‘shenjing shuairuo’ and cultural understandings of depressive disorders in China (August 2023). Online article.
3. Producing B2C content on mental & behavioural health for a digital health company
Organisation
Holmusk
Dates
May – December 2020
Role
Technical writer, content writer
Summary
In 2020, I provided technical and content writing services for Holmusk – a data analytics and health technology company. I planned, wrote and copy edited B2C content on mental & behavioural health – focusing on depressive disorders – to be incorporated in Holmusk‘s user-facing products. I also worked on technical writing and UX support for a digital mental health product.
4. Conducting an ethnographic study of mental healthcare policies and practices in Singapore
Organisation
Yale-NUS College
Dates
August 2019 – May 2020
Role
Thesis researcher
Summary
My thesis project at Yale-NUS College consisted in a study of Singapore’s public mental healthcare system. This involved conducting historical & policy research, ethnographic fieldwork and in-depth interviews with mental health professionals. I produced a 52-page capstone thesis, receiving an ‘A’ grade from two faculty reviewers.
My thesis argued that mental healthcare in Singapore is heavily medicalised through care hierarchies that prioritise psychiatric treatment; and that, while Singapore values community-based mental health support, this works to reinforce psychiatric approaches rather than acting as an alternative form of care.
Selected outputs
Psychiatry and community: The biomedicalisation of mental healthcare in Singapore (May 2020). Capstone thesis.
5. Advocating for student mental health and support services
Organisation
Yale-NUS College
Dates
August 2017 – December 2019
Role
Independent project leader & team member
Summary
I was involved in a number of student mental health advocacy projects at Yale-NUS College.
Campus health service evaluation – I led a small team in an independent evaluation of university mental health services. I designed & disseminated a campus-wide survey, held in-depth student interviews, analysed responses to identify key areas of improvement and consulted with administrators on service improvements for the following year.
Peer support – I co-piloted and facilitated a student mental health peer support group, receiving basic counselling and emergency response training.
Student programming – I organised and participated in various mental wellbeing programmes, including sexual assault survivor support and LGBTQ+ mental health.
capucine barcellona. 