By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu
MBARARA
Speaking to staff at Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital, Fr. Julius Caesar Kamukama, priest at Rubindi Catholic Church who is also a member of board of governors at the facility delivered a powerful message on the importance of mental health, urging health workers and the wider community to treat it with the same seriousness as physical and spiritual well-being.
Using the day’s rainfall as a metaphor, Fr. Kamukama reminded listeners that some aspects of life are beyond human control. He emphasized that mental health challenges often arise from pressures such as family expectations, financial strain, and workplace stress particularly in institutions striving to maintain excellence.
“Mental health challenges are not a shame, they are like any other medical condition,” he said, encouraging openness and seeking help. He stressed that caring for mental health should be as routine as caring for the body and soul.
Fr. Kamukama shared his personal journey of resilience, having grown up as an orphan before becoming a priest, pharmacist and biology teacher. He urged staff to:
Accept life’s unpredictability – “Life happens the way it does, not the way you want.” ,Overcome learned helplessness – Develop strategies to thrive in difficult situations.
Express emotions appropriately – Avoid bottling feelings, which can resurface destructively.
Practice self-care – Prioritize sleep, recreation, friendships and nurturing long-term relationships.
Be patient with yourself , “We are all work in progress. Don’t carry the whole world.”
Fr. Kamukama also warned against numbing pain with drugs or alcohol, describing them as addictive “numbers” that mask rather than heal. Instead, he encouraged reliance on scripture, prayer, and healthy relationships.
Fr. Kamukama reminded his audience that while people may share the same road, their destinations differ. Comparisons and competition, he cautioned, can be destructive.
“No one else is responsible for your life but yourself,” he concluded, urging health workers to embrace patience, self-care, and resilience in their demanding roles.
