Wietse A. Tol

WIETSE A. TOL is the inaugural Dr. Ali and Rose Kawi Professor in Mental Health. His main interest concerns the mental health of populations exposed to severe adversity in low- and middle-income countries. Within this area, he is particularly interested in how research can contribute to improved practice and policy. His research, both—qualitative and quantitative—has included assessment of the mental health consequences of torture and evaluation of a multidisciplinary treatment program for torture survivors in Nepal, as well as randomized controlled trials of a school-based intervention for children affected by armed conflicts in Burundi, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. His published research has appeared in more than 40 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Dr. Tol regularly advises policy and practice organizations on evidence-informed mental health practice, particularly needs assessment, program development, monitoring and evaluation. He has led a number of systematic reviews of effective practices for the World Health Organization and coordinated the setting of consensus-based research priorities in this field. In 2011, Tol was awarded the Chaim and Bela Danieli Young Professional Award by the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and was co-chair of its 2012 annual meeting.