Uganda celebrates World Mental Health Day

Uganda joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Mental health day commemoration recently. Mental Health Uganda (MHU), a non-government organisation organised the event that was held at their offices in Lungujja, Kampala.

Participants participated in a talk that involves mental health in the community and awareness.

Elizabeth Kasujja, a  mental health specialist said there is a need to handle people with mental health problems with care.

"We need to ensure that we talk to people with mental problems properly. In other words, we must counsel them and talk to them often as they move towards recovery," she said.

In recognition of the high level of ignorance on disability, Mental Health Uganda (MHU) engages in repackaging, documentation, and dissemination of information on disability and development.

Brenda Abiria of Mental Health Uganda said every October 10, the global community recognises World Mental Health Day as an opportunity to highlight international outreach, education, and advocacy efforts spent to reduce mental health stigma.

"The overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilising efforts in support of mental health," she said

The Day also provided an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people.