Tag Archives: mental health

Focused on peer support yields positive results | MICHELLE M. SCHWAB | In many regions of Africa, traditional healers have treated all illnesses, physical and mental, for centuries. As the prevalence of mental illness continues to rise in Uganda, western influence impacts how those with a mental illness can access …

The mental health benefits of horror movies | THE INDEPENDENT | Monsters under the bed, zombies rising from the grave, and chainsaw-wielding maniacs aren’t exactly the first things that come to mind when one is trying to conjure soothing images. Yet, for many horror movie aficionados, part of the draw …

New report shows that investment in mental health is still lacking Kampala, Uganda | PATRICIA AKANKWATSA | Uganda spends 9.8% of its GDP on healthcare and only 1% of that is spent on mental healthcare. Dr. Juliet Nakku, the Executive Director of Butabika National Referral Hospital, says that the current …

Geneva, Switzerland | Xinhua | A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) points to a global failure to provide people with the mental health services they need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Published on Friday, the triennial WHO Mental Health Atlas shows data from 171 countries, and highlights that despite …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The number of people thinking of and attempting to commit suicide is on the rise, according to mental health experts from the Ministry of Health. According to estimates, over 500 people thought of committing suicide or even attempted it between January and June. Records from …

Agago, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Agago district is struggling to provide mental health services. This is due to the lack of psychiatrists and adequate funding. The district receives all mental health services from the Catholic-owned Dr Ambrosoli Memorial Hospital Kalongo.  The hospital has consecutively for the past five financial years …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The mental health task force in the Health Ministry is scheduled to hold mental and psycho-social support sessions for medical workers involved in treating COVID-19 patients effective Friday 9th June, 2021. The move is in response to the worsening mental and psycho-social distress among medical …

Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Mental Health Uganda has embarked on the door to door monitoring of their clients in Gulu and Omoro districts. The move was prompted by the current lockdown announced by the government to contain the spread of COVID-19. The monitoring visits involve 1,002 peers with specific …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Families of people who have died from the second wave of Covid-19 or are infected could suffer mental problems. Mental health experts warn that patients, family members and also health workers are likely to suffer from anxiety and even mild depression. Dr Hillary Irimaso, a …

Dan Bukenya’s case shows how the many restrictions imposed lead to increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression | THE INDEPENDENT | Dan Bukenya felt beleaguered by anguish. He lost sleep most nights and was often testy. He tried to self-medicate to no avail. Only when he agreed to be …