BISHOPS ROOT FOR SPECIAL FUNDS TOWARDS TACKLING MENTAL HEALTH

Some of the Bishops at the GANAL Prayer Peace Week in Koboko recently.
 
By Godwin Abedican
 
Arua City
 
The bishops under the umbrella body of Gulu, Arua, Nebbi and Lira (GANAL) ecclesiastical province are calling upon the government of Uganda to set aside special funds in a deliberate move towards management of and attention towards mental health challenges that are affecting the peaceful coexistence of the people of Northern Uganda and the country at large.
 
Speaking during the recently held GANAL week of prayer for peace in Koboko, Arua diocese, Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki made a call for government attention towards this, saying mental health has an adverse effect on the establishment of peace in the region.
 
“To obtain peace, we cannot ignore mental health. When there is problem of health especially mental, there can be no peace. So, I hereby appeal to the government of Uganda to prioritize resources towards addressing mental disorders and support the people of Northern Uganda for the sake of peace,” Odoki pleaded.
 
Metal health disorders continue to be a public health concern in Uganda. A recent systematic review of 24 prevalence studies in Uganda found out that 22.9 percent of Ugandan children aged below 18 years and 24.2 percent of adults were suffering from mental health.
 
Rt. Rev.  Santos Lino Wanok the bishop ordinary of Lira catholic diocese on his part says that this is a unified call from the bishops given the trend of mental health challenges experienced in the region and country.

“Mental health has become a very big issue. We are saying it is to be addressed by the government on a serious note because we are affected in many ways. Wars have worsened it and therefore as Bishops, in the same tone we are saying, the government should see the inter-relationship between a poor mental health status of the citizens and governance and improve the health condition of our people with a massive plan,” Bishop Wanok said.
 
In an interview with Hon. Dr. Charles Ayume, the Member of Parliament for Koboko municipality on how law makers can advocate for government response to this demand, he says establishment of laws should be made a lead in dealing with mental health.
 
“I think when we look at the issue of mental health, let’s go back to what the causes are. Mental health could be caused by so many stress factors. So, we have to tackle what the issues are. On the side of the law, I used to Chair the parliamentary committee on health, we were able to pass the law that seeks to regulate but also outlaw narcotics but also regulate certain psychotropic agents,” he said.
 
According to the latest World Health Organization data, at least 7.4 percent of Ugandans are affected by common mental disorders particularly depression, anxiety and alcohol use disorders.
 
 
 

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