MENTAL | HEALTH | DEPRESSION  

KAMPALA - Mental health activists have asked patients suffering from depression to always seek expert treatment.

The head of communication and advocacy at Strong Minds Uganda, Charlotte Oloya, while raising awareness about depression to market vendors at Kalerwe Market in Kampala during the commemoration of World Mental Health Day on Monday, October 10, 2022, stressed that untreated depression can lead one to make the wrong choices and to suicide in extreme cases.

Oloya said there might be people within the market that might be struggling with depression adding that their organisation wants to ensure that they eradicate depression.

"If a person identifies the signs and symptoms of depression, they should seek services from a counsellor," she said.

The day was celebrated under the theme: Make Mental Health and well-being for All a Global Priority.

Depression is a group of conditions associated with the elevation or lowering of a person's mood, such as depression or bipolar disorder.

According to recent statistics from the health ministry and the Uganda Counselling Association, an estimated 14 million Ugandans suffer from a form of mental disorder.

Edna Nassolo (C) a peer health facilitator talking to one of the market vendors at Kalwerwe market. (All Photos by Violet Nabatanzi)

Olayo further said that they have treated over 120,000 women and over 12,000 adolescents in and out of school that are struggling with depression using Interpersonal Therapy for Group (IPTG).

How to deal with depression

According to Oloya, the first step is for a person to recognise that they are struggling with depression. 

This starts with understanding the signs and symptoms of depression, adding that the second step is to get treatment so that you can cope with depression when it happens.

"Within our communities, we have Village Health Teams and peer facilities that can support you when you’re struggling with depression," she said.

Statistics also show that up to 280m people across Africa are struggling with one form of mental illness.

Olayo said during COVID-19, many people lost businesses and their loved ones, adding that the pandemic made people struggle, which caused depression.