Spotlight Interview with Dr. Krisztina Baltimore, PhD

Location: Buffalo, NY

Bio: Dr. Krisztina Baltimore was born in Washington D.C., and later lived in Costa Rica, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the State University of New York (SUNY) Geneseo in 2016, followed by a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University at Buffalo in 2018. In 2023, she completed her PhD from the same institution, focusing on mental health literacy and access for Middle Eastern immigrant and refugee women, guided by Dr. Wooksoo Kim. Her work addresses disparities in healthcare and barriers faced by marginalized groups. Krisztina has also contributed to projects assessing health literacy among refugees and developing initiatives for child welfare.

How did your experiences all over the world contribute to your focus today?

My focus on mental health literacy, particularly among immigrant and refugee populations, is deeply influenced by my international upbringing due to my father's work. From being born in Washington, DC, to living in Costa Rica, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, these moves honed my adaptability, open-mindedness, and cultural awareness. These qualities are invaluable in my research career, where understanding the diverse conceptualizations of mental health across cultures is crucial. My experiences have ingrained in me a cultural competence that is essential when addressing mental health awareness and treatment, paying attention to nuances like terminology used in different contexts. In essence, my global experiences have been fundamental in shaping my approach to mental health research with minority groups.

What has your educational journey looked like and why did you choose the path you did?

I pursued my higher education in the United States, starting with an undergraduate degree in English at SUNY Geneseo, in Rochester, New York, motivated by my passion for writing and literature from high school. However, an elective in psychology captured my interest, revealing a new world of mental health that I hadn't been exposed to while in high school in Oman. This sparked a shift in my academic focus, leading me to switch my major to psychology.

Graduating with a BA in Psychology, I aimed to work in mental health. Though I initially considered a master's in mental health counseling, I chose a master's in social work at the University of Buffalo for its broader career opportunities, as opposed to the narrow path of one-on-one counseling.

My interest in research deepened during my master's, particularly in how evidence-based research can influence policy. This led me to pursue a PhD in Social Welfare at the same university, a decision reinforced by a professor who was then a doctoral student in the program.

My specific focus on immigrant and refugee populations emerged from my first project as a research assistant, which dealt with health literacy among Burmese refugees. This experience, combined with subsequent research and my dissertation on mental health literacy among Middle Eastern immigrant and refugee women, shaped my educational path. While some of my journey was spontaneous, it has culminated in a clear direction towards mental health research within minority communities.

When did you first get interested in global/mental health research?

My initial interest in global mental health research originated from my formative years in Oman, where I observed a stark contrast between the normalization of seeking help for physical ailments and the apparent absence of mental health facilities or services. This disparity piqued my curiosity about the systematic barriers, such as funding or infrastructure inadequacies, and societal challenges like stigma, that prevent the establishment of mental health centers in some countries. This lack of exposure to mental health care in my own community spurred my interest in understanding and addressing these issues on a global scale, leading me to pursue research in this field.

Why do you feel it is important to prioritize marginalized groups such as the immigrant/refugee population?

I believe it is crucial to prioritize marginalized groups such as the immigrant and refugee population for several compelling reasons. First and foremost, there exist significant disparities in mental health within these communities. These disparities manifest in various forms, including barriers to accessing mental health care, limited utilization of available services, and experiences of discrimination or mistrust towards healthcare providers. Immigrants and refugees face a unique set of challenges when they relocate from their home countries to a new host nation. For refugees, the journey often involves exposure to traumatic events like war, natural disasters, or political unrest. This makes it imperative to pay special attention to their mental health needs. In my doctoral program, there was a strong emphasis on adopting a trauma-informed approach to research. This approach shifts the focus from asking "What's wrong with you?" to understanding "What happened to you?" It centers on meeting individuals where they are, acknowledging their perspectives, and respecting their agency.

We are excited to have you join our team as a Research Associate for the GLCMHD! Can you share with us your vision for the Center’s direction in research?

Certainly, I'm excited to be part of the GLCMHD team and share my vision for the Center's research direction. Firstly, I envision expanding the Center's mission to further increase awareness of mental health, mental health disorders, and the utilization of mental health services. Our goal should also include reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly within immigrant and refugee populations. To achieve this, I believe in conducting research studies in close collaboration with community health centers, community organizations, and hospitals. Additionally, I see the potential for extending our outreach to educational institutions, such as schools, to engage with adolescent and youth populations. This approach can be instrumental in addressing the generational differences in mental health perceptions, especially within immigrant and refugee communities. By involving parents and teachers, we can foster a more holistic understanding of mental health and its importance.

What is your most memorable project you’ve worked on?

One of my most memorable research projects was during my doctoral program, where I worked on a Community Health Worker Initiative in collaboration with the Erie County Department of Social Services in New York. The initiative paired community health workers with child welfare workers for joint home visits to immigrant and refugee families. Our goal was to enhance cultural competence among child welfare workers.

What made this project memorable were the diverse tasks I engaged in, including conducting focus groups and developing evaluation measures for assessing cultural competence. This experience also exposed me to collaboration among various organizations and deepened my understanding of cultural factors in child welfare. In the end, we co-authored a comprehensive report on the project's outcomes.

Closing Thoughts

I'm genuinely excited to be a part of the Global & Local Center, and I'm eager to contribute to various projects on both scales. The warm welcome I've received has been wonderful, and I'm enthusiastic about the opportunities that lie ahead here.

As I mentioned earlier, it's essential to prioritize quality mental health care for marginalized populations, especially within the context of the Global & Local Center for Mental Health Disparities. Our goal is to address systemic barriers that hinder equal access to and utilization of mental health care, particularly among immigrant and refugee populations. Given the current global climate and ongoing migration issues, Boston serves as an ideal hub for tackling immigrant and refugee challenges. I'm excited to be part of an organization that is actively engaged in this important work, even if it means making incremental progress. Every small step counts, and I'm looking forward to making a meaningful impact through our efforts to address these barriers.

By Sanjana Sinha, December 2023