Highlights from the Psycavi scientific days in Dar es Salaam

For the third consecutive year, the Psycavi Observatory held its Scientific Days from August 4 to 7, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Researchers, students, and members of the Observatory gathered to share the results of their work on the psychological impacts of exposure to trauma.

The program of this edition was rich and diverse, reflecting the Observatory’s main research areas:

• the social determinants and psychological consequences of sexual violence
• the impact of trauma on cognitive functions
• the effects of schooling on mental and cognitive health
• intergenerational trauma
• psychological care approaches

The exchanges took the form of presentations, flash talks, discussions, small group work, and scientific workshops.

At the end of these days, several recommendations were formulated for both scientists and policymakers.

Recommendations for scientists

• Build stronger bridges between scientific research and clinical practice
• Make greater use of mixed methods combining quantitative and qualitative data from Psycavi projects
• Promote and mobilize the results produced by Psycavi
• Continue to integrate cultural specificities into the design and evaluation of projects

Recommendations for policymakers

• Implement targeted interventions for particularly vulnerable groups, such as women or people heavily exposed to traumatic events
• Promote schooling as a lever for protecting mental health
• Rely on solid scientific data to guide policy choices
• Train health professionals in mental health issues

These days thus constituted an essential space for reflection and collaboration, opening the way to new avenues of action and research for a better understanding and more effective management of psychological trauma.