Susanne Matte-Ramsdell (she/her) is a rising senior at the University of California, Los Angeles, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Global Health and Entrepreneurship. Through her multicultural family, her childhood in Mexico City, and her volunteer work, she witnessed the stigma surrounding mental illness, the one-size-fits-all models of mental health care, and the limited access to mental health services in low- and middle-income countries. As a result, Susanne aspires to develop and provide culturally tailored psychosocial care for people with common mental disorders.
This summer, Susanne worked with Dr. Mootz on projects aimed at implementing and assessing evidence-based therapies. She conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis on the social and systemic factors impacting the mental health of internally displaced people (IDPs). Her research will inform a project focused on tailoring Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Motivational Interviewing, and Safety Planning for urban IDPs in Mozambique. Additionally, she helped make Dr. Mootz and Dr. Weissman’s book on IPT more accessible by summarizing and compiling its key findings and adaptations. Susanne further learned about IPT by participating in meetings with Dr. Mootz and her team in Mozambique, who are working to address intimate partner violence through IPT. As an intern, she also interviewed alumni of the Global Mental Health Programs, which allowed her to gain further insight on the development of the International Classification of Diseases.
Throughout the program, Susanne learned from the unique perspectives of faculty, alumni, and students, and gained knowledge and skills that have significantly contributed to her personal and professional growth.