There is a need for government to fund guidance and counseling departments in schools to address cases of mental health among learners and teachers.
Reports show that a number of teachers are suffering mental breakdowns after failing to access mental health care.
Government in the past introduced guidance and counseling departments in its schools to guide and counsel learners and teachers but neglected to fund the departments.
Richard Irwenyo, the Gulu City Education Officer says that teachers assigned to manage the guidance and counseling departments abandoned the role due to lack of allowances.
Irwenyo says teachers view the role as an extra assignment that they should be paid for.
He attributes cases of mental illness among teachers to stress resulting from violence, divorce or separation.
Irwenyo says that Non-Governmental Organizations such as Strong Minds and Gwed-G are currently supporting selected schools with mental health care services but the need is still great.
Leave a Reply