Silvana, MD, DSc, child and adolescent psychiatrist, works as a senior researcher at the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts in Skopje and is involved in several research projects. Her main research topics are QEEG, ERPs, and neurofeedback in the assessment and treatment of mental disorders in children and adolescents.

Silvana, what got you interested in the IMPULSE study?

Professor Novotni is responsible for my involvement in the Impulse project and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for it. Namely, I was specializing at the Psychiatric clinic in Skopje when he asked me if I wanted to join the project as he knew that I have many years of research experience. I had heard about DIALOG+ already at one of Prof. Priebe’s lectures in Barcelona a few years ago and I was delighted that I could do research on it. I agreed to join in the project immediately and I am very happy that I became part of the Macedonian team. Despite my extensive research experience, I still learned a lot from the other teams about new methodology and design, sustainability, and implementation of the intervention in our everyday clinical practice.

What do you like about mental health research?

Openly discussing mental health in society helps break the stigma surrounding mental illness while also reminds us that help is available and we're not struggling alone. Talking about mental health can encourage those having thoughts of suicide or dealing with severe mental illness to reach out to others for help. As a child and adolescent psychiatrist I would like to stress that helping children with mental health problems is one of the main aims of mental health research in order to prevent later disorders and complications in their life as adults. My participation in Impulse project made me think of creating a similar intervention that could be applied with children and their parents for improving their psychosocial functioning.

What is your experience with publishing papers in peer-reviewed journals?

I have many years of experience with publishing papers in peer-reviewed journals. But because of limited financial standards in North Macedonia we could not always afford to publish in high-ranking journals. The IMPULSE project has given us an opportunity to publish in an open-access journal and I really like the coordinated teamwork between Impulse partners in writing and publishing in journals, writing retreat sessions and support about it.

What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t working

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I also enjoy visiting many new places out of the country and driving through new sceneries. Due to the pandemic we have been restricted with traveling so I recharge my batteries by visiting Ohrid or hiking up in the mountains around village Gari. The greenery there calms me down!

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

1. Dreams do come true. But dreams are nothing without action. Dream it, then DO it!
2. Never compare yourself with others. Everyone is unique in their own way. Accept your flaws and work towards self-development which is an ongoing process.
3. Don’t trust everything you hear. Just because you are straight-forward and honest does not mean everyone is the same. Learn to trust your instinct.
4. And most importantly - every problem has a solution! Smile more, worry less.