A statement released by the US mission in Uganda on Thursday shows this three year project will be implemented by an NGO Strong Minds where they will focus on building the local evidence base around mental health and development in addition to increasing locally available, evidence-informed, affordable mental health services by training community members in how to effectively deliver these services.
The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID), has announced its first-ever mental health-focused
project in Uganda, providing funding to the tune of 1 million dollars.
A statement released by the US Mission in Uganda on Thursday indicates that the three-year project will be implemented by an NGO Strong Minds, where
they will focus on building local evidence-based mental health and
development in addition to increasing locally available, evidence-informed, affordable
mental health services by training community members in how to effectively
deliver these services.
This funding comes at a time when Uganda is battling an
increasing mental illness crisis with studies
showing millions of Uganda to be living with a form of mental illness either
knowingly or unknowingly.
Data from 2020
and 2022 show that Uganda is ranked among the top six African countries in
rates of depressive disorders and has the second-highest suicide rate among
East African males ages 18-35.
Owing to this challenge, Uganda’s Ministry of Health has
embarked on an awareness campaign urging Ugandans to seek professional help
when burdened with thoughts and worries. According to the statement, the new
money comes as a sign of commitment to this agenda.
“The U.S. government
recognizes that good mental health is fundamental to achieving and sustaining
development objectives, in Uganda and around the world,” said USAID/Uganda
Mission Director Daniele Nyirandutiye.
The statement points out that people living with untreated
mental health issues are statistically less physically healthy, have lower
economic and academic achievement, and are more likely to be crime victims and
to be recruited into criminal or extremist activity. Unaddressed mental health
issues can harm individuals, families, and societies, and considerably
influence development results.
Meanwhile, this project will work across existing USAID programming
throughout Uganda in child protection, health, education, economic growth, and
human rights to train community members in how to provide evidence-informed,
effective psychoeducation and mental health screening and treatment.
