Students urged on safeguarding mental health, well-being

The growing number of students grappling with mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression has become a public health concern.

New study findings reveal that the prevalence of mental health symptoms among Ugandan university students during the COVID-19 lockdown stood at 80.7%, 98.4%, and 77.9% for depression, high levels of anxiety and stress, respectively.

An online survey dubbed: Depression, anxiety, and stress among Ugandan university students was conducted among 321 participants with a mean age of 24.8 years.

Notably, statistics from the health ministry reveal that there has been a 25 per cent surge in mental health cases over the last four years.

In the 2023-2024 financial year alone, outpatient departments across the country recorded 616,175 mental health-related visits, a number that rose from 491,013 in 2020-2021.  Worth noting, these mental health cases begin silently and go unnoticed. 

The worrying situation has pushed schools and institutions of higher learning to sensitise students to take care of their mental health and well-being amidst hectic academic schedules.

“Please take care of your mental health because I know part of your academic work can be mind-blowing. It will require you to read hard and get exposed a lot, but take time off to relax and play,” Ahaki Afya na Haki Institute director general Assoc. Prof. Moses Mulumba says.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines mental health and well-being as an individual's emotional, psychological and social well-being, influencing how they think, feel, and act.

The chairperson board of trustees at Ahaki Afya na Haki Prof. Ben Twinomugisha. (All Photos by Agnes Kyotalengerire)

The concept encompasses the ability to cope with stress, realise one's potential, learn, work productively, and contribute to the community. Importantly, mental health is not just the absence of illness but a state of overall well-being that enables individuals to thrive.

The chairperson board of trustees at Ahaki Institute Dr Ben Twinomugisha agreed, advising the students never to be burdened by academic challenges, given that they are short-lived.

“I know that there is a season for everything and this one too will also pass,” Twinomugisha said.

Emphasizing the need to safeguard mental health and well-being, he said there are moments when academic programmes; courses become difficult causing a lot of stress, anxiety and even pushing some students into depression.

This was during the inaugural student orientation day at Ahaki Afya na Haki institute in Nakwero, Gayaza, Wakiso district on August 11, 2025.

Ahaki is a specialised African research and training institute that focuses on health systems and social justice. 

The pioneer lot of 110 students who are pursuing bachelor's and postgraduate diplomas in sexual and reproductive health were selected from 32 countries, including Uganda, Angola, Lesotho, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, DRC, Estonia, Ethiopia, Ghana and India.

In the bid to safeguard the mental health and well-being of students and the entire population, Ahaki Institute is developing four courses on mental health that are contextual to the African continent.

“They are courses that are being defined to align with the African needs and the changing paradigm on the African continent. The effort is to ensure that we have multidisciplinary professions,” Prof. Mulumba noted.