University of Cape Town

Emily Saruchera is an AMARI MPhil Alumni from Zimbabwe. She did her Master of Philosophy in Public Mental Health with the University of Cape Town (UCT). Emily holds a Bachelor of Science Psychology Honours degree from the Midlands State University in Zimbabwe.

After completing her honours degree in 2014 she joined the University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences on a study that investigated the feasibility and acceptability of treating depression in people living with HIV to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Emily has also been involved in a program that aimed to improve psychological well being and engagement in health care of young people living with HIV at risk of treatment failure through engaging them in creative arts activities (music, drama and dance). 

Emily’s research interests are in the areas of mental disorders in people living with HIV, in particular anxiety, depression, alcohol and substance use. Her MPhil thesis involved examining the association of mental disorders (anxiety and depression) and substance use disorders with adherence to antiretroviral therapy among youth living with HIV registered at an HIV clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Supervisors:

Dr Marguerite Schneider, University of Cape Town

Dr Melanie Abas, Kings College London