Kitgum, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Jessica Avol 19, counts herself lucky among teenage mothers to be back at school, thanks to talk therapy sessions that saw her fighting depression and stigma. In 2019, Avol who was 17 years dropped out of school while in senior two at Kitgum Standard Secondary …
Read More »WHO urges gov’ts to prioritize mental healthcare
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The World Health Organization-WHO is asking governments to prioritize mental healthcare as mental illness surges. WHO made the call during a virtual launch of the organization’s biggest assessment of mental health that has been carried out in the last 20 years. The report shows that …
Read More »Study shows COVID-19 ICU patients’ family needs more emotional support
Beijing, China | Xinhua | Family members of patients in the intensive care unit(ICU) with COVID-19 often experience abrupt change in circumstance and thus may have PTSD symptoms needing emotional support, a new study has found. These family members often have to make difficult decisions quickly and feel a loss of …
Read More »Masaka Diocese opens special rehabilitation centre for depression victims
Masaka, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Masaka Diocese has opened a special counselling and psychosocial support facility for emotionally and spiritually stressed people in the area. Established at the Daughters of Mary Convent in Bwanda, Kalungu district, the center will provide psychosocial rehabilitation and support services to people that are …
Read More »WHO warns of COVID-induced anxiety, depression worldwide
Geneva, Switzerland | Xinhua | The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Wednesday of a sharp increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression related to the COVID-19 pandemic, caused largely by social isolation. Young people and women are the worst hit. According to a scientific brief released by the WHO, …
Read More »Amputee Self-Help Network-Uganda
Finding a reason to live after losing a leg in car crash Every day 10 people on average die in road traffic crashes in Uganda, which is the highest in East Africa, according to police and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa’s Road Safety Performance Review report for Uganda …
Read More »Suicide attempts on the rise in the country – MOH
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 …
Read More »Art creates freedom from Depression
The creative process creates an expanded capacity of joy, love and confidence Kampala, Uganda | DOMINIC MUWANGUZI | Questions abound how communities across the world can now cope with the increasing numbers of depression in the population. This is as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic which has inspired a …
Read More »Experts warn of mental health problems during second wave of Covid-19
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 …
Read More »COVID-19 impacts mental health
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 …
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