The Assistant Commissioner for Mental Health Services at the Ministry of Health, Hafsa Lukwata, has reiterated the urgent need for a comprehensive National Mental Health Survey in Uganda to determine the true burden of mental illness in the country.
Speaking at celebrations for having treated one million people of depression, Lukwata expressed disappointment over past attempts to gather mental health data during the national census, which he said failed to yield meaningful insights.
“We are requesting that we repeat this study so that we can have very meaningful results, meaningful data for the burden of mental health in this country,” she said.
She highlighted prisons as high-risk environments for mental health issues, particularly depression.
“The circumstances in our prison communities may be different… but I’m very glad that Strong Minds is coming in and the prison services have finally opened up,” Lukwata noted.
She praised the partnership with Strong Minds and emphasized the need to support not only inmates but also prison staff. Lukwata called for integrated workplace mental health programs across sectors, including public service, schools, and prisons, in line with this year’s theme focusing on mental health at the workplace.
Sean Mayberry, Founder of Strong Minds, emphasized that destigmatization efforts rely on community-led education and the testimonies of those who have recovered.
Looking ahead, Mayberry outlined strategies for expanding services through deeper partnerships with government ministries and the creation of model districts. “There is no organization stronger and more capable than the government to implement depression treatment,” he affirmed.
Both leaders emphasized that untreated mental health issues significantly contribute to social challenges, including adolescent pregnancies, due to hopelessness and lack of awareness—further underscoring the need for urgent and systematic intervention.