'Address mental health among students'

KAMPALA - Mental health challenges are quietly eroding the well-being of Uganda’s youth, who make up over 35% of the nation’s population.

With more than 12 million young people shaping this demographic, as estimated by the 2024 Uganda National Population and Housing Census, their mental health is vital to Uganda’s future. Yet depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders are on the rise, driven by economic strain, cultural stigma, and recent disruptions.

Statistics from the health ministry reported in 2022 that the prevalence of mental disorders has surged from 24.2% before the COVID-19 pandemic to 32% since, with youth among the hardest hit. 

It's among these reasons that activists from 'The Man in Me' voluntary organisation embarked on a transformative mental health coaching trip, aimed at addressing the growing mental health challenges among Ugandan youth. 

According to Semakula (2nd L), the initiative sought to deepen the students' understanding of mental wellness, rehabilitation, and the importance of early intervention. (Credit: Moses Nsubuga)

150 students—comprising 100 boys and 50 girls—participated in visits to Butabika National Mental Referral Hospital and Naguru Remand Home. 

The initiative sought to deepen the students' understanding of mental wellness, rehabilitation, and the importance of early intervention.

"At Butabika, students engaged with medical professionals and interacted with patients under care, gaining firsthand insights into the realities of mental illness. They learned about the causes, symptoms, and recovery journeys associated with various mental health conditions. The visit highlighted how stigma and silence can exacerbate these conditions, underscoring the need for open conversations and early intervention," said Sam Semakula, a managing partner at The Man in Me.

He added, “Mental health is real and it’s happening amongst us. We must be able, as the next generation, to manage it. It can happen to anyone—anxiety, depression, trauma. These are not foreign terms; they are our reality.”

Semakula called for the protection of the mental health of children, asserting that "Our actions as parents, teachers, and guardians directly impact our children. If we don’t model love, discipline, and understanding, we may push them into depression—or worse, institutions like mental hospitals.”

Sam Sendiwala, the organisation's team leader, said the coaching trip shed light on the growing mental health issues faced by students in schools, ranging from exam pressure and bullying to identity crises and domestic abuse. 

"Unfortunately, many of these issues remain unspoken due to shame or lack of awareness. The experience underscored the need for schools to implement mental wellness programs, train teachers in basic psychological first aid, and create safe spaces for students to express themselves," remarked Sendiwala.