Theme 6 · ACGMH 2027
Bridging the gap between evidence and impact — strengthening the science and practice of evidence generation, monitoring, evaluation, and implementation within community-based mental health systems.
Overview
This theme is part of the broader conference focus on community-based mental health systems, innovation, equity, and resilience across Africa and low- and middle-income countries.
← All ThemesWhile a growing body of research demonstrates the effectiveness of many mental health interventions, far less is known about how to implement, adapt, scale, and sustain these interventions in real-world, resource-constrained settings.
This theme emphasizes the need to move beyond controlled trials toward practical, context-sensitive, and scalable models that can be delivered through existing systems and continuously improved through data.
Without strong research and evaluation, innovations cannot be validated, systems cannot be improved, funding cannot be justified, and policy cannot be informed.
Significance
This theme addresses urgent and interconnected challenges in mental health systems, with direct implications for research, policy, practice, and communities.
Closes the 'know-do' gap: ensures that evidence-based interventions are effectively translated into practice.
Improves program quality through continuous monitoring and evaluation enabling real-time learning and adaptation.
Supports scalability: implementation science identifies what works, for whom, and under what conditions.
Strengthens accountability: data-driven systems demonstrate impact to governments, funders, and communities.
Enhances policy influence: robust evidence informs national strategies and resource allocation.
Key Areas of Focus
Submissions may address any of the following focus areas, or propose related topics aligned with the conference vision.
Adapting evidence-based interventions to local contexts
Understanding barriers and facilitators to implementation
Scaling interventions within PHC, schools, and communities
Fidelity versus adaptation: maintaining effectiveness while ensuring relevance
Designing M&E systems for community-based programs
Selecting appropriate indicators: process, output, outcome, impact
Routine data collection and use for program improvement
Participatory M&E involving communities and beneficiaries
Validation of mental health screening tools in local languages
Development of brief, scalable assessment tools for non-specialists
Measuring complex outcomes: well-being, resilience, social functioning
Ensuring cultural relevance and sensitivity in measurement
Evaluating interventions outside controlled research environments
Longitudinal studies assessing sustained impact
Cost-effectiveness and return-on-investment analyses
Capturing unintended consequences and contextual effects
Translating research findings into actionable policy recommendations
Using data to inform resource allocation and system design
Strengthening data literacy among program managers and policymakers
Building feedback loops between research, practice, and policy
Involving communities in research design and implementation
Co-creation of interventions and evaluation frameworks
Ethical considerations in community-based research
Amplifying voices of lived experience in research
Mobile-based data collection systems and real-time dashboards
Remote monitoring of program delivery
Use of AI and machine learning in data analysis
Ethical considerations in digital data use
Cross-Cutting Considerations
Ethics and Safeguarding
Protecting participants in research and data collection
Equity
Ensuring data captures diverse populations and does not exclude marginalized groups
Feasibility
Designing systems that are practical in low-resource settings
Sustainability
Embedding M&E systems within routine program operations
Localization
Building local research capacity and leadership
Guiding Questions
How can evidence-based interventions be effectively adapted and scaled in diverse African contexts?
What monitoring systems best support real-time program improvement?
How can we measure outcomes that matter most to communities?
What are the best approaches for balancing fidelity and adaptation?
How can research more directly inform policy and practice?
What role can digital tools play in strengthening research and M&E systems?
What We Invite
Strategic Importance
This theme underpins all others at the conference. Without strong research and evaluation, innovations cannot be validated, systems cannot be improved, funding cannot be justified, and policy cannot be informed. It ensures mental health systems are effective, accountable, and evidence-driven.
Ready to contribute?