Marie Stella Marehin

Biography:

Marie Stella Marehin is a CAMES Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Omar Bongo University in Libreville, Gabon. She holds a doctorate in psychology from the Université Paul-Valery de Montpellier 3. She is a clinical psychologist with a degree from the Institute of Applied Psychology and Sociology (IPSA) at the Université Catholique de l'Ouest, Angers, France. Passionate about addictions, she is currently training in addictology at the University of Montpellier. A recipient of a study grant from the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), she is currently enrolled on a Master 1 in Public Health with an Epidemiology option at the Université des Montagnes (UDM) under the auspices of the AUF and the University of N'Gaoundéré, Bangangté-Cameroon. On her return to Gabon, she set up the ESPOIR clinical psychology practice in 2022, recognised by the Ministry of Health authorities, which takes care of people suffering from addictions, as well as their families and friends. In 2023, it set up the NGO Entraid'Dépendances to carry out prevention and awareness-raising campaigns on the dangers of drug use. Particular emphasis is placed on the day of 9 September, which is dedicated to Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) in pregnant women. Depression, financial difficulties, abandonment and a lack of knowledge about the harmful effects of alcohol on the foetus are all factors in this behaviour. Since its inception, actions have been carried out on 10 October, World Mental Health Day. Since addiction is a "mental disorder", the aim is to educate the public so as to avoid the stigmatisation and exclusion of addicts, who are most in need of help. Dr Marie Stella Marehin takes part in awareness-raising days for young people, and training sessions with NGOs, associations and foundations. Addiction is a major focus of her work as a researcher: predictive factors for drug use, the psychological processes involved in addiction in pregnant women, La Covid-19, psychotic and addictive disorders, addiction and return to work, stigmatisation of addicts in the workplace, and so on.