Psychosis Research Center

   Mission and Responsibilities

  Affiliated with the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, the Psychosis Research Center leverages an experienced research team and cutting-edge technology to fulfill its vision through the following responsibilities:

1. Conducting fundamental and applied research to understand the causes, treatment methods, rehabilitation, and prevention of mental disorders.

2. Expanding and disseminating knowledge related to mental illnesses.

3. Transferring knowledge in the field to policymakers and stakeholders in the health and social welfare systems.

4. Assembling dedicated and capable researchers in the areas of psychosis and other mental disorders.

5. Supporting the training of human resources for research in mental disorders.

6. Enhancing community mental health, raising public awareness, and promoting equity in health access.

  Values

1. Continuous improvement of research quality.

2. Commitment to the principle of efficiency.

3. Utilization of dedicated, responsible, and experienced human resources.

4. Upholding the dignity of researchers, students, and patients, with a strong emphasis on research ethics.

5. Embracing dynamism and innovation.

6. Addressing the needs of stakeholders at various levels based on research priorities and strategic plans.

7. Emphasizing the localization of research grounded in Islamic values.

  Major Goals

1. Elevating the existing knowledge base in the field of mental disorders.

2. Increasing the application of research findings in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of mental disorders.

3. Enhancing the quality of research in mental disorders.

4. Expanding the quantity of research in mental disorders.

5. Training competent and efficient human resources in the field of mental disorders.

6. Supporting researchers in generating national knowledge in mental disorders, with an emphasis on Islamic values.

  Strengths

1. Presence of faculty members with diverse expertise in the center’s research council.

2. Availability of a research field aligned with the center’s objectives.

3. Diversity and breadth of postgraduate education among Razi Psychiatric Hospital staff.

4. Access to basic diagnostic tools for treatment and research.

5. Variety of educational, therapeutic, and rehabilitation units at Razi Psychiatric Hospital.

6. Presence of university faculty members stationed at Razi Psychiatric Hospital.

7. Access to a well-equipped library at the hospital.

8. Support from the hospital’s leadership for the Psychosis Research Center.

9. High number of inpatients at Razi Psychiatric Hospital.

  Weaknesses

1. Lack of inclusion of the Psychosis Research Center in the hospital’s research flowchart.

2. Unclear mechanisms for intra-organizational research collaboration.

3. Absence of diverse subspecialty departments.

4. Lack of advanced and up-to-date research tools (e.g., various brain imaging devices).

5. Shortage of research personnel at the Psychosis Research Center.

6. Large size and sprawling nature of the center.

7. Remote location of the center.

8. Absence of full-time faculty at the Psychosis Research Center.

9. Lack of motivation among hospital staff to engage in research.

10. Lack of access to high-speed internet.

  Opportunities

1. The Psychosis Research Center’s position as the first center dedicated to mental disorder research.

2. Comprehensive support from the Vice Presidency for Research and Technology at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences.

3. Potential for collaboration with other universities and research centers.

4. Support from the Welfare Organization for the Psychosis Research Center.

5. Alignment of the center’s research priorities with those of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences.

6. Opportunities to secure grants from other universities and institutions.

7. Potential to benefit from Request for Proposal (RFP) budgets.

  Threats

1. Failure to obtain final approval for the Psychosis Research Center.

2. The center’s status as a newly established entity.

3. Lack of awareness among various university departments about the Psychosis Research Center’s existence.

4. Time-consuming processes for article acceptance and publication.

5. Lack of authorization to admit research-oriented PhD students.

6. Absence of an independent budget for the Psychosis Research Center.

7. Lack of structured training programs for staff and research center members.

  Strategies

To achieve its mission and vision, the Psychosis Research Center has outlined the following strategies to strengthen its operations, enhance research capacity, and foster collaboration:

 a) Organizing Interaction with Razi Psychiatric Hospital: Streamlining and formalizing the collaboration between the Psychosis Research Center and Razi Psychiatric Hospital to optimize research integration and resource sharing.

b) Recruitment and Retention of Human Resources: Attracting and retaining both faculty and non-faculty researchers to build a robust research team.

  c) Securing Research Facilities and Financial Resources: Ensuring the availability of necessary research infrastructure and funding to support the center’s activities.

  d) Creating Incentives for Researchers: Developing motivational programs and rewards to encourage researchers’ engagement and productivity at the Psychosis Research Center.

  e) Promoting the Center and Engaging External Stakeholders: Raising awareness of the Psychosis Research Center and fostering partnerships with external stakeholders, including academic institutions, organizations, and communities.