Menelik Desta

I am a psychiatrist by profession. I did undergraduate Medical training at Addis Ababa University and psychiatric specialization at the University of Manchester in Britain. I got my PhD in the Epidemiology of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders from Umea University in Sweden. I was the director of Ethiopia's only mental health institution which was then also the de facto mental health department of the Ministry of Health. I received a letter of recognition from the Ministry of Health for expanding mental health services in the country. I had also been involving in the training of medical students in psychiatry. I was awarded a certificate by the Medical faculty of Addis Ababa University for my distinguished role in the starting of undergraduate training in the country. I provided voluntary service for Addis Ababa University students for 20 years. I was awarded with a letter of recognition by the University for helping thousands of students with mental health issues over the years.

Currently, I am running a not for profit, nongovernmental organization that conducts an innovative program to empower parents and teachers to enhance early child care end education in disadvantaged communities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I am also implementing an innovative school mental health program sponsored by Grand Challenges Canada.