By eastafrican gazette
A Ugandan mental health expert Daniel Drileba Dratibi has launched a book on the increasing cases of mental health in Uganda
He said the book is aimed at helping people with mental health challenges to thrive.
He launched the book during the 2024 mental health awareness month that took place at the National Theatre from May 14-19, 2024.
The world Mental Health Awareness activities aim to raise awareness about mental health in the world.
In Uganda, the activities were held in the different parts of Uganda where health professionals in this field held events to raise awareness about mental health.
They said unregulated alcohol consumption coupled with other challenges like stress, poverty, depression, anxiety, and epilepsy are the leading causes of mental health related problems in Uganda.
Dratibi cited other causes including natural disasters, poverty, family background, sexual and gender related violence among others.
The book has solutions to the affected persons that include seeking counselling from professionals, change of environment, seeking medical attention and taking care of the affected persons among others.
“This situation is caused by many causes as highlighted above and the book I have launched has solutions to these problems, and I urge the public to look for it in selected book stores in Uganda,” he added.
Mental health status in Uganda
Uganda exhibits a higher prevalence of mental health conditions compared to other low- and middle-income countries.
A recent report shows that around 14 million individuals out of a total population of 43.7 million, accounting for approximately 32.0%, experienced mental illness in 2022.
This figure surpasses previous national estimates of 24.2%. The rise in prevalence can be attributed to the enduring social stigma and taboos surrounding the pursuit of mental health services, exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many hospitals converted their mental health units into COVID-19 isolation facilities, further limiting access to mental healthcare. Uganda faces significant challenges in terms of mental health services, with inadequate resources within the primary healthcare system to effectively address mental health concerns.
The country has a mere 53 psychiatrists nationwide, equating to roughly one psychiatrist for every million people, and less than one psychiatric nurse (0.78) per 100,000 individuals.
Moreover, the majority of mental health professionals are concentrated in urban areas, particularly Kampala, where the sole psychiatric hospital in the country, Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital, is situated.
Given that 83% of Uganda’s population resides in rural regions, access to mental healthcare remains limited for many individuals.
Men affected more
Other studies show that mental health remains a topic shrouded in silence and stigma, particularly among men in African societies.
Traditional gender norms often emphasize stoicism and emotional restraint for men, leading them to suppress their emotions and avoid seeking help when facing mental health challenges.
This societal pressure not only hinders their ability to cope with issues but also perpetuates the notion that mental health concerns are a sign of weakness.
A recent study presented at the National Mental Health Conference in Uganda in 2022 revealed that men residing in Kampala city have a significantly higher rate of mental health issues compared to women. The Ugandan Ministry of Health attributes this to alcohol dependency as a major contributing factor to psychiatric illnesses.
Men in Uganda are reported to have one of the highest levels of alcohol consumption in sub-Saharan Africa, with an average of 16 liters of pure alcohol consumed annually.
The prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in Uganda stands at 12.4%, while alcohol dependence is estimated to affect 4.2% of males in the country.
It was noted that men’s hesitance to accessing mental health services can have serious repercussions on individuals, families, and communities.
They highlight that untreated mental health issues can worsen substance abuse, domestic violence, and potentially result in suicide. This can also impact their interpersonal relationships and work performance.
Oftentimes, individuals turn to alcohol as a means of dealing with emotional distress or societal expectations, which can spiral into a harmful cycle of addiction and declining mental health.
They advocate for greater resources allocated to mental health services, public campaigns to combat stigma, and policy changes.