Ugandans urged to strengthen mental well-being

The Ministry of Health has issued basic guidance promoting a holistic approach to mental health, integrating healthy lifestyle choices, strong social connections and the development of coping skills to help guard against mental illness.

The World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of well-being in which an individual realises their own abilities, can cope with normal life stresses, can work productively and is able to contribute to their community.

Dr Kenneth Kalani, a senior medical Psychiatrist at the Ministry, emphasised that although stressful factors may be difficult to eliminate, individuals can strengthen their internal capacity to remain functional despite the challenges they face.

“Foster strong connections and support, we all need one another, if you have a strong social support network, chances of one to share what is bothering you are high in order to acquire support from people close to you, who can identify that you are struggling,” he said.

Statistics

According to Kalani, anxiety disorders, which are characterised by excessive fear, worry and related behavioural disturbances, have increased by 50 per cent in Uganda. He explained that these include fears and worries relating to everyday problems.

Kalani said depression is a type of mental disorder that is different from usual mood fluctuations and short-lived emotional responses to challenges in daily life. “During a depressive episode, the person experiences depressed mood, feeling sad, irritable, empty or a loss of interest in activities, which were previously enjoyed. Depression admissions have increased by 26.8% in Ugandan hospitals,” explained Kalani.

He added that excessive and uncontrolled use of alcohol and other substances has increased by 15.8 per cent.

Warning against substance misuse

Kalani warned against using alcohol or drugs as a way to escape stress. “Avoid the use of drugs and alcohol to get rid of stress, every time you are stressed. When people are stressed, the brain learns to yearn for anything that will increase the happy hormones. When you take alcohol, it will appear very beneficial to a stressed brain; it will be taken as a medicine to cure the stress. Under such circumstances, people are likely to get addicted.”

He noted that people are more likely to develop substance dependence if they begin drinking during periods of stress. Those who consume alcohol only occasionally are at lower risk.

Kalani gave these remarks at the launch of the Rhodium Mental Health Specialist Centre in Bugolobi, a Kampala suburb. The facility offers specialised mental health care and aims to complement the national referral hospital, Butabika, by expanding access to treatment.

He said the biggest causes of stress are linked to the struggle to meet daily life demands. Building strong social networks is therefore an important step in addressing these issues and improving mental well-being.

Kalani encouraged people to reach out when overwhelmed. “Talk to a trusted person when you feel you are overwhelmed with issues. The person could be a friend, a pastor, an elder, or a family member to ensure you keep off the stress in your minds for a long time. Once you share, your inner way starts to solve the issue and even explain to the brain, these issues can be explained to the brain,” he added.

He also said that unresolved stress can escalate to a point where medical help becomes difficult to offer.

Kalani urged individuals to cultivate positive experiences. Many people, he said, become consumed by responsibilities and neglect their own well-being. Reconnecting with positive personal experiences can help reduce anxiety and uncertainty. He further advised people to get between six and nine hours of quality sleep each night, noting that sleep patterns significantly affect mood and stress resilience.

Psychiatrists speak out

Matina Kabenge, a psychiatrist and director of the Rhodium Mental Health Specialist Centre, said she works with a multidisciplinary team to address gaps in mental health treatment. The centre was established to relieve pressure on Butabika Hospital, which frequently struggles with overcrowding.

Kabenge explained that 2024 data shows Uganda has just over 80 registered psychiatrists serving nearly 46 million people, a number she described as insufficient.

Kabenge encouraged the public to exercise regularly, saying that physical activity can reduce stress and depression and improve mood. She also urged people to eat a balanced diet, noting that nutrition plays a key role in regulating mood and energy levels.

Dr Sabrina Kitaka, a paediatrician, advised mothers to breastfeed infants for at least six months to reduce their risk of illness. She stressed the importance of early detection of conditions such as autism, which can arise following illnesses including epilepsy, developmental syndromes, Turner’s syndrome, tuberculosis, metabolic disorders, depression, anxiety and other psychiatric conditions.

“As a parent, it is important to be very observant of your child, especially how they speak, think, and in all other ways. Once you find these disorders, please do not neglect them. Instead, support them. Many people see them as losers because they are slow learners, which is very wrong,” said Kitaka.

Dr Byamal Mutamba, a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at Butabika Hospital, said children under 18 are increasingly presenting with mental health problems linked to anxiety, depression and alcohol use, which often lead to hospitalisation.

He said Butabika, designed for 550 beds, is operating at nearly double its intended capacity, with many of its patients being young people. He noted that admissions surged rapidly after the Covid-19 pandemic, at one point rising above 1,000.