Kabooha
Experts, have attributed the rising cases of mental illness to drug abuse, depression, stress, poverty and high costs of living that sometimes lead to suicidal cases.
According to the recent report by the Ministry of Health and the Uganda Counseling Association, 14 million Ugandans are mentally sick accounting for 35% out of the 45 million Ugandans.
When covid-19 was announced in Uganda in 2020, the government put up a number of restrictions to contain the deadly virus.
Some measures like closure of schools, places of worship as well as stopping movements negatively impacted people’s wellbeing due loneliness and low income.
Dr. John Kisembo, an expert in mental health, says majority of Ugandans do not know their mental health status since they never visit health facilities for checkups.
He says covid-19 lockdown that lasted for two years forced some people into depression, anxiety, drug abuse and domestic violence cases increased.
According to Dr. Kisembo, each mental disorder has different forms of treatment hence urging Ugandans to visits hospitals and detect their mental health status earlier and start receiving treatment.
Doreen Kobusinge, a counselor says families should embrace the work of counselors especially when they have issues of domestic violence to avoid further problems like suicide.
She says, cases of suicide among children are on rise due to alcohol abuse and domestic violence in homes.
