Mattias Strand

Mattias Strand

Affiliated to Research
Visiting address: Solnavägen 1E, 11365 Stockholm
Postal address: K8 Klinisk neurovetenskap, K8 CPF Dahlin, 171 77 Stockholm

About me

  • I am a post-doctoral researcher at the Centre for Psychiatry Research and senior psychiatrist at the Transcultural Centre in Stockholm, Sweden.

Research

  • My main research areas are cultural and social psychiatry, trauma, and eating disorders. I also take great interest in medical humanities.

    I am currently involved in the following research projects:

    • "The impact of culture and migration background on seeking and receiving treatment for eating disorders" with Sofie Bäärnhielm and Elisabeth Welch (supported by ALF funding from Region Stockholm and Karolinska Institutet)
    • "Strengthening emergency response for societal crisis – appraisal of intercultural health communication strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic" with Sofie Bäärnhielm in collaboration with Soorej Jose Puthoopparambil and Önver Cetrez at Uppsala University (supported by funding from the Swedish Research Council)
    • "Patient-controlled admissions for individuals with severe mental health disorders" – Emelie Allenius' PhD project to which I contribute as co-supervisor alongside Sigrid Salomonsson, Alexander Rozental, Lena Flyckt and Pernilla Omerov (supported by funding from the Swedish Research Council)
    • "Inherited trauma: mental health and intergenerational trauma among Swedish Eritreans in Stockholm" with Meaza Yared Tesfamariam at the Transcultural Centre and professor Gloria Macassa at Högskolan i Gävle
    • "Jews in Sweden: Mental health, transgenerational trauma, and cultural competence in healthcare" with Mirjam Katzin at Gothenburg University
    • "The history of transcultural psychiatry in Sweden" with Sofie Bäärnhielm

Articles

All other publications

Grants

  • Swedish Research Council
    1 December 2021 - 30 November 2025
    The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of inclusive communication strategies during crises reflecting the needs and contexts of various population subgroups in any given society. Number of COVID-19 cases and deaths from it has been substantially higher among foreign-born population in Sweden, especially in Stockholm. There is a lack of research and models for intercultural health communication in crises such as a pandemic. The overarching aim of this study is to strengthen future emergency response from a public health security perspective during pandemics, epidemics and other societal crises by appraising intercultural communication strategies employed in Region Stockholm during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a scientific and rigorous appraisal of existing initiatives of intercultural COVID-19 communication, this study explores how crisis information related to health can best be communicated to groups with limited knowledge of the Swedish language and the Swedish healthcare system. The project is an empirical study mainly using qualitative methodology—i.e., individual as well as focus group interview design, both on micro (individual experiences) and meso (interaction between micro levels and the response by regional institutions and authorities) levels. Results from the study will contribute to establishing of ‘best practices’ for intercultural communication during crisis situations such as a pandemic.

Employments

  • Affiliated to Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 2025-2028
  • Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 2021-2025

Degrees and Education

  • Degree Of Doctor Of Philosophy, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 2021
  • University Medical Degree, Karolinska Institutet, 2005

News from KI

Events from KI