By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Persons with mental health conditions are facing double Jeopardy in communities from people who make negative remarks about their mental illnesses and discriminate them.
This according to Samuel Mugisha, a mental health specialist at Care and Assistance of Forced Migrants (CAFOMI) says stigma and discrimination in people with mental health conditions are pervasive across societies and cultures.
“Research has it that most of the people who are struggling with mental challenges have been neglected by their loved ones,” he said.
Mugisha made the remarks during an exclusive interview with this publication on Tuesday November 21, at the launch of the Action for Health Uganda (A4HU) five year Strategic Plan, 2023-2027 in Lubowa, Wakiso district. He noted with concerns societal stereotypes about mental health likely to cause enormous negative impacts on the wellbeing and livelihoods of people with mental health conditions, often worsening their condition and delaying or stopping them from getting help.
According to him, the perception that people with mental illness are unstable and unable to function normally is wrong and discriminates the victims.
“Not everybody who has mental challenges is mad. Stress can cause mental disorders and you end up getting depression and other mental health conditions, […] People who are struggling with mental illnesses are being discriminated especially in our homes, children and adults are being discriminated labeled as mad people when they are really struggling with mental illnesses,” he said.
He urged families, communities and companies with people suffering mental health disorders to take them to health facilities because they can be productive to society.
The mental health specialist further urged universities to train more psychologists and counselors who are able to understand the dynamics of mental health in the country. He said this is because the country is faced with psychiatric specialists and mental health psychologists crisis.
