Addis Ababa University

Hirbaye Mokona Lola is a mental health professional with a Bachelor of science degree in nursing and a Master's degree in ‘Integrated Clinical and Community Mental Health’ from Arba Minch University and the University of Gondar, Ethiopia. He is currently a PhD fellow in Mental Health Epidemiology at Addis Ababa University, funded by the African Mental Health Research Initiative (AMARI) II. He is also affiliated with Bule Hora University, where he contributes to both academic teaching and research, with a commitment to improving mental health care and interventions in low- and middle-income settings.

His primary areas of research focus on common mental health conditions and behavioral problems in vulnerable population such as children, internally displaced persons, and unemployed youth. His work often explores the intersection of mental health and socio-economic factors, such as poverty, unemployment, and displacement, with a special emphasis on youth in rural Ethiopia.

Hirbaye’s doctoral research focus on mental health, particularly in understanding the epidemiology of mental distress, suicidal behaviours, and substance use among unemployed youth in rural Ethiopia. He aims to explore and gain deeper insight into the mental health impacts of youth unemployment in rural Ethiopia.

Supervisors:

• Prof Abebaw Fekadu, Addis Ababa University (Primary supervisor)

• Prof Atalay Alem, Addis Ababa University (Co-supervisor)

• Dr. Wubalem Fekadu, Addis Ababa University (Co-supervisor)