Uganda to host child mental health conference
Jul 06, 2016
In Uganda, 12% to 29% of children and 1 in 5 Ugandan adolescents present mental health symptoms and challenges
Uganda will next week host the first annual conference on child mental health in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The event comes at a time when several researches have illustrated that countries are grappling with child and adolescent mental health challenges.
About 20% of children in Sub Saharan Africa struggle with serious mental health cases, according to the World Health Organisation.
In Uganda, 12% to 29% of children and 1 in 5 Ugandan adolescents present mental health symptoms and challenges, according to the conference concept note released by Prof Fred Ssewamala, the director of International Centre for Child Health and Asset Development.
"These cases are highly related to crime, unemployment, poor physical health, bereavement, due to loss of parents to HIV/AIDS, extreme poverty, conflict and displacement, illness and sexual victimization," the concept note released ahead of the conference reads in part.
The conference will bring policy makers, medical practitioners, researchers and community members in the region to sit together and forge a way forward.
It will also mark the launch the Global Behavioural Health Fellowship for new investigations and PhD candidates committed to behavioural research in Sub Saharan Africa.
The two day event (July 12th to July 15th) will be held at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala.