Anvar Vakkayil, PhD
- Grace Abbott School of Social Work, Associate Professor
General Information
Biography
I am an Associate Professor of Social Work at the Grace Abbott School of Social Work, University of Nebraska at Omaha. My academic journey began with a PhD and MPhil in Psychiatric Social Work from NIMHANS, Bangalore, India, following an MSW in Medical and Psychiatric Social Work. Over the years, my work has focused on health and mental health, with particular attention to self-harm and suicide prevention, early psychosis, and substance misuse among marginalized populations. I am dedicated to bridging the gap between research and actionable policies and programs.Before joining UNO, I served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the School of Public Health and the National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Ireland. Additionally, I have worked as an Assistant Professor and Psychiatric Social Worker in India, engaging in teaching, research, and psychiatric social work practice.My scholarly contributions include more than 35 peer-reviewed articles. I have also successfully secured competitive funding in Ireland, including the SFI IRC Pathway Program and the Dorothy-MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship.
Teaching Interests
My teaching interests include courses related to mental health and research methodology. Currently, I am teaching two sections of Clinical Social Work with Individuals.
Research Interests
My research focuses on mental health disparities among marginalized populations, integrating psychosocial, cultural, and systemic perspectives. Specifically, I aim to address critical issues such as self-harm, suicide prevention, and early psychosis. I explore the interplay between mental health comorbidities and substance use, particularly in underserved communities, including Indigenous populations.I am committed to translating research findings into actionable policies and community-based programs. This includes designing culturally sensitive mental health interventions, such as need-based family social group work for caregivers of patients with first-episode psychosis and specialized mental health and psychosocial support programs for Indigenous populations.Through interdisciplinary and cross-geographic collaboration, my research contributes to enhancing suicide risk prediction, improving substance abuse interventions, and fostering resilience in vulnerable populations. Ultimately, my goal is to develop impactful solutions that bridge the gap between mental health research and practice, addressing inequities in care and supporting sustainable mental health systems.