Dr. Jerome Galea is a global mental health researcher and implementation scientist committed to expanding access to evidence-based mental health services worldwide. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, his work focuses on designing, testing, and scaling practical solutions that bridge the gap between proven treatments and the communities that need them most.

With over 30 years of global health experience, Dr. Galea brings extensive expertise in navigating complex systems, leading multi-stakeholder collaborations, and implementing scalable, evidence-based interventions. With deep expertise in “task-sharing” approaches, he has led initiatives to train community health workers and lay providers to deliver psychological care in resource-limited settings. He co-founded community-based mental health programs and supported national service reforms in Peru. His research integrates mental health into primary care, HIV, and tuberculosis programs to reach vulnerable populations with comprehensive care.

As a Grassroots Advisory Board member, Dr. Galea provides strategic guidance on research priorities, program implementation, and evidence translation to strengthen health systems and promote equitable, data-driven solutions globally.

Dr. Galea is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Master of Social Work Online Program at the University of South Florida. Previously, he served as Agency Mental Health Coordinator at USAID. He holds a PhD in HIV Prevention Science from University College London and completed postdoctoral training in Global Mental Health Implementation Science at Harvard Medical School. He is a passionate advocate for mental health as a fundamental human right and an essential pillar of global health equity.