Notice from Refugee Law Project

While social distance plays a strong role in controlling the spread of the virus, it continues to have unintended psychological consequences as it alters our way of life as we know it. Additionally, social distancing heightens the risk of discrimination in instances where someone is suspected to have the infection or has been in an isolation center or appears to be a foreigner. The long term impact of this requires thorough scrutiny and interventions to be put in place to deal with possible COVID-19 related trauma in homes, school, work, and communities

Mental Health: a less prioritized investment

Uganda has made strides towards revising approaches in mental health service provision. The 2019 Mental Health Act, the National Mental and Substance Abuse Policy as well as its Strategic Plan, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Policy, Neurological and Substance Abuse Guidelines are all examples of the political will of the government in promoting people's mental wellbeing. However, attaining mental health for all remains a far cry. The central role mental wellbeing plays as a determinant of overall wellbeing is still inadequately understood, and in many ways, mental health remains a less prioritized investment. Amidst an elaborate policy framework, mental health remains under-funded: less than 1 % of the health budget is allocated to mental health. The move to establish mental health units in all regional hospitals and Health Centre IVs - many of which lack the required human resources and facilities to avail the desired services - is thus hindered from the very start. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THIS PRESS STATEMENT