Olga Kitaina
Mental health researcher | Transforming perceptions of psychological care in Russia
About
Olga Kitaina is a researcher at Common Cents Lab at Duke University who focuses on changing how mental health care is perceived and accessed. Her work addresses the significant cultural and systemic barriers that prevent effective mental health treatment in Russia, where stigma and institutional challenges create substantial obstacles for those seeking psychological support.
Through her research and advocacy, Kitaina examines the complex intersection of cultural attitudes, policy frameworks, and healthcare delivery systems that shape mental health outcomes. Her TED 2022 presentation highlighted strategies for shifting public perception and improving access to mental health resources in environments where such care has historically been marginalized or misunderstood.
Her work at Duke University's Common Cents Lab positions her at the forefront of behavioral research that can drive meaningful change in healthcare systems and social attitudes toward mental wellness.
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How to alter the perception of mental health care in Russia
During the Soviet Union era, therapy was often used as a tool of political oppression. Since then, Russia has seen major reforms in mental health care -- but stigmas and distrust for the practice still live on. Psychologist and TED Fellow Olga Kitaina shares the current state of therapy in Russia (where tarot card readers and astrologers sometimes pass as psychoanalysts) and outlines her solution for getting people the professional help they need.
| Event | Year | Location |
|---|---|---|
| TED2022 | 2022 | 🇨🇦Vancouver, Canada |
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