KAMPALA-As cases of mental illness and Suicide cases continue to rise among Ugandans, experts have advised on what should be done in order to return the situation.
On addressing Journalists in Kampala, Mr. Derrick Kiiza Mbuga, Executive Director Mental Health Uganda (MHU) revealed that people with mental health conditions in Uganda face stigma, issolation, and social exclusion.
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“Besides all this, Ugandans are grappling with high levels of poverty: alcoholism and drug abuse; lost incomes coupled with high interest rates on loans; insecurity like the recent violent crimes in and around Kampala, and employment inter alia. “
He also pointed out other factors like Youth unemployment which is at 41 Percent and 9.3 million of those have no access to education or training according to the UBOS National Labor Force Survey Report, 2021. That all the above expose the communities to serious mental challenges.
The recent reports indicate that cases of suicide have increased in recent weeks with the most affected age group being 20-45 years, with males being three times more likely to die by suicide than females.
According to school-based study in Wakiso and Gulu by Mental Health Uganda and SOS Children’s Villages in 2023, revealed that 20% of students had ideated suicide as a result of bullying, body shaming, examination pressure, relationships (including with Parents and teachers), among others.
“Mental health problems do not know tribe, color, sex, location or age. All of us can be potential victims. Although increasing access to treatment is important, having open conversations about mental health and problems should be a common place across society.”
Recommendations
Mr. Derrick Kiiza Mbuga, the Executive Director of MHU advised the government to take positive steps towards the decriminalization of suicide (Section 210 of the Penal Code Act) to ease timely access to mental health care.
“Formal institutions like workplaces, institutions of learning, places of worship, etc. need to expeditiously integrate mental health care and services e.g, providing reasonable accommodation to employees that report not being well and establish safe spaces for everyone who is unwell.”
He asked the Ministry of Health to quickly deliver on all tenets of Community Mental Health Care as stipulated in the Mental Health Act 2019, so as to increase utilization and access to care, increase awareness and facilitating the key role of families in the provision of care.
“Formal institutions like workplaces, institutions of learning, places of worship, etc. need to expeditiously integrate mental health care and services e.g. providing reasonable accommodation to employees that report not being well and establish safe spaces for everyone who is unwell.”
In providing solutions to the problems, MHU has decided to extend free and confidential professional counselling services to victims via telephone number 0800 212121 which is always available from Monday to Friday during working hours.
Suicide Cases
Ever since this year started, various media outlets have been reporting an increase in suicide cases with majority of them blamed on Mental illness.
Among these was that of Gloria Uwimana, a Masters Degree student from Uganda Martyrs University who committed suicide in a shop , Kabale district, a week back a 17 year old , Senior five student committed suicide on allegations that her parents were forcing her to offer science subjects which were not her choice.
In a period of less than two weeks , Kampala Metropolitan Police reported to have received more than three cases of people who committed suicide by jumping off from the top of some of highest buildings in areas around Kampala.
