A joint mental health outreach camp in Northern Uganda has already surpassed its target after more than 600 people sought services in the first two days, with organisers reporting a high number of depression cases accompanied by suicidal tendencies.
The three-day Northern Uganda Joint Partner Mental Health Integrated Health Camp being held at Gulu Prison Primary School, was targeting about 500 people, but organisers now expect between 800 and 900 people to benefit by the end of the outreach today – Friday.
Susan Akwir, a clinical psychologist and team leader at Wellness International, says the camp was organised in response to the increasing mental health burden in Northern Uganda.
She says the initiative brings together mental health service providers and health facilities to make specialised services accessible to communities while addressing stigma, myths and misconceptions surrounding mental illness.
The camp is in its second year and provides free mental health screening and specialist services that would otherwise be costly or difficult to access.
Akwir says depression with suicidal tendencies was among the most common conditions identified so far, although she says the organisers would only establish accurate figures after analysing the data collected during the camp.
Every person attending the camp first undergoes mental health screening before being referred for appropriate care.
Depending on the outcome, clients may be attended to by counsellors, psychologists or psychiatrists. The camp also provides psychosocial support, spiritual nurturing and services for people struggling with alcohol and substance use.
By URN
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