By Alex Gahima
Local leaders in Kisoro district have been trained to use scientifically proven methods of treating mental health illnesses instead of wholly investing their time and resources to Spiritual remedies.
The comments were made earlier this week during a training organized by Care and Assistance for forced Migrants (CAFOMI) on basic counseling skills at Tourist hotel in Kisoro Municipality.
While addressing various Community Development Officers (CDOs), LC I chairpersons, teachers and Village Health teams (VHTs), SGBV and Mental health officer Samuel Mugisha stressed the importance of using medicines that can guarantee 100% recovery for most mental health illnesses in communities.
He however notes that mental health medicines are a lifelong commitment unless recommended otherwise by a professional medical personnel.
According to Mugisha, Stress is one of the major risk factors for mental health illnesses in Uganda.
“Many Ugandans are living stressful lives and this can be attributed to high levels of poverty in the country. People are economically, culturally and physically stressed, Mugisha explained.
Mugisha further explains that many families with people suffering from mental health illnesses often seek help from the clergy, pastors and witchdoctors but this does not usually yield the results they seek.
“People often relate mental illnesses to being bewitched, cursed while some others believe people have been demon possessed. These are the most common misconceptions, Mugisha said
He stressed the importance of Mental health awareness among Kisoro communities especially now, that the district is experiencing an influx of Congolese refugees who have fled their homes because of war.
At least 13,000 people are currently being hosted at the Nyakabande transit camp while another 30,000 people are still living among host communities in deplorable conditions.
“People need not abandon their belief systems of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit however they need to be informed of the scientific as opposed to non-scientific approaches in dealing with Psychological challenges”, Mugisha explained
A bitter pill to swallow for some of the participants who felt Science without God is not a life worth living, as is the belief of many Ugandans.
Several CDOs said some mental health issues cannot simply be solved by taking medication consistently but require prayer and fast is recommended in the bible.
What is Mental illness?
Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities.
The most common mental health disorders among Ugandans include anxiety, depression, Alcoholism, Bipolar disorders among others.
A recent study, published in one of Uganda’s leading daily, says more than 15 million Ugandans have a mental disorder.
Tips to the trainees
Desist from offering solutions to people who come to you seeking for help. Instead allow them to generate options to solve their own problems.
If you refer a patient to God, you have failed. Instead refer them to a counselor or their religious leader who can offer them emotional and spiritual support.
Using Pyscho analysis, assist a client/ patient to come to realization of why they think they are under attack. Help them to think logically and not emotionally.
Alcohol and Drugs ruining Kisoro
Psychiatric Clinical Officer at Kisoro Hospital Stephen Irakiza says he receives over 100 people monthly seeking help for alcohol addiction.
According to Irakiza, the clients who visit him at the hospital, mostly men and youth say they are beginning to hallucinate due to ingesting too much Waragi.
“Our society is in grave danger because of this cheap Waragi which most men are drinking. It is all they take with no thought for food or water in their bodies, it is only a matter of time before we have more mad people in our communities”, Irakiza explained
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