Dr. Liezel Ferreira

Liezel Ferreira is a researcher in psychiatry whose work centres on the intersection of mental health, trauma, and HIV, particularly among vulnerable female populations in South Africa. Affiliated with research conducted in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, contributions focus on correctional mental health, highlighting the complex relationship between adverse childhood experiences, adult trauma, psychiatric disorders, and HIV among incarcerated women.

Her publications demonstrate strong expertise in both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including diagnostic interviews and thematic analyses. Key contributions include advancing understanding of trauma-informed care in correctional settings and exposing the high burden of undiagnosed mental illness among female inmates. This work informs policy and clinical interventions aimed at improving screening, treatment access, and rehabilitation outcomes.

Earlier and collaborative research also addresses the broader impact of violence on physical and mental health, as well as innovative digital interventions for prolonged grief in older adults. Collectively, her scholarship reflects a commitment to socially responsive psychiatry, public mental health, and the development of contextually relevant interventions for at-risk communities.