AKIRA (Assessment of Key Interviewing factors for Research Assistants) is a competency-based training and evaluation tool developed to improve the quality, consistency, and cultural sensitivity of mental health data collection in community settings. It provides a structured framework to train, monitor, and assess research assistants across 10 key interviewing domains, identifying strengths, areas for improvement, and potentially harmful behaviors. Designed for adaptability in global and under-resourced contexts, AKIRA ensures that data collectors (often non-specialists) are well-prepared to conduct interviews and administer self-report measures ethically and effectively, thus strengthening the reliability of mental health research.
The New School Center for Global Mental Health 