Enoch Azasu
Assistant Professor
“As a psychiatric epidemiologist, researcher and mental health advocate, I'm driven to understand and address critical mental health challenges and suicidality, contributing to the advancement of well-being and the reduction of stigma through rigorous research and community engagement.”
Education
- PhD, Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis (2023)
- MSW, Washington University in St. Louis (2019)
- MBA, University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana (2016)
- BA, Psychology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana (2010)
Professional/Research Interests
Psychiatric epidemiology and mental health, particularly understanding and addressing suicidality; developing and implementing evidence-based interventions to improve mental well-being and suicide prevention, reduce stigma and support at-risk populations
Biography
Through his groundbreaking research, Enoch Azasu delves into the prevalence, sociocultural risks and protective factors associated with suicidal behaviors, particularly among adolescents in the greater Accra region of Ghana. By melding advanced epidemiological methodologies with a deep understanding of mental health, he seeks to uncover insights that contribute to suicide prevention and intervention strategies. His work also extends to understanding the impacts of loneliness and sociocultural factors on mental well-being, as well as developing culturally appropriate interventions for mental health challenges and suicide.
Azasu’s research has been published in several academic journals, including the Journal of Adolescent Health, Archives of Suicide Research, and Social Work. His publications have explored a range of topics, from the intricate relationship between ethnic identity and suicidality among Black adolescents to the profound impact of racism-related stress on suicidality among Black men.
As an educator, Azasu’s teaching emphasizes the importance of integrating research with practice to address real-world mental health challenges.
Beyond academia, Azasu is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and policy transformation. He established “Youth Awake to Suicide - STAY,” a nonprofit that addresses suicide and trauma issues among Ghanaian youth. Through the organization, Azasu has organized workshops and focus groups to raise awareness, encourage help-seeking behaviors and champion policy changes to prioritize mental health support.
Azasu has been honored with several awards and fellowships, including the National Institute of Mental Health’s Global VISTA award, which recognizes mental health leaders who push the boundaries of knowledge. He has also received an International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD) Research Resilience Training Fellowship and the McDonnell International Scholars Academy award.