Families urged to recognise mental health struggles among youth

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The National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC) under the State House has launched a series of mental health awareness sessions for its staff, with officials using the platform to highlight the growing mental health challenges facing young people in Uganda.

The initiative began with a session for staff members aimed at promoting wellbeing in the workplace while also raising awareness about the wider mental health situation among Ugandan youth.

Speaking during the first session, the commissioner of the NSPC, Hellen Seku, urged families across the country to rethink how they interpret the struggles faced by children and young people.

“Families should stop thinking that when their children face challenges, it is because they have been bewitched. Many of our youth are affected by mental health conditions, and as a nation, we must address this issue seriously,” she said.

Seku said many young people continue to battle mental health challenges quietly, partly because families and communities do not recognise the signs or attribute the problem to other causes.

She also commended NSPC staff for attending the session, describing the initiative as an important step in creating supportive work environments within institutions.

“I thank my staff for participating in this activity today. Let this be a lesson to other organisations to encourage their staff to take part in mental health lessons and discussions. It is the only way we can understand the well-being of those we lead and what they are going through,” Seku added.

Mental health specialists say the programme comes at a time when mental health disorders among young people are becoming increasingly common.

According to Florence Namyaalo, a psychiatric clinical and public health officer with the Transcultural Psychosocial Organisation Uganda, the challenge is both a national and global concern.

“In Uganda, the situation is particularly worrying,” she said.

Namyaalo explained that globally, between 15 and 20 percent of young people experience mental health challenges.

A recent report by the Ministry of Health indicates that about 191,000 youth in the Buganda sub-region are living with mental health conditions. Urban areas such as Kampala record higher numbers compared to other parts of the country.

Health professionals attribute the rise in mental health problems to factors such as unemployment, family conflicts and relationship challenges.

Namyaalo said many young people resort to alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes and khat as coping mechanisms when faced with stress.

“Everyone is at risk, and it is okay not to be okay,” she said.

Experts recommend several practical steps to safeguard mental wellbeing, including adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, regular exercise and seeking support from family members, friends or community groups.

Namyaalo encouraged young people experiencing emotional distress to seek professional help early, noting that timely intervention can prevent more serious mental health outcomes.

She also called on communities and institutions to play a greater role in identifying individuals who may be struggling and encouraging them to prioritise their wellbeing.

“When the people around us are healthy and supported, we all live better lives,” she said.