In the quest to Invest In Mental Health 2020, one should take a quick insight about the education system in Uganda.
In relation to the story about my lived experience with a mental health problem where I got diagnosed while still at secondary School, A level. I was subjected to hate, discrimination and high levels isolation of because of my mental health state by then. According to me, I relate all this to ignorance by then school administrators about mental health and the fact that mental illness is treatable but they chose to treat it like its not.
It is true that there’s hope of recovery after proper diagnosis from a qualified psychiatrist, For instance here in Uganda one can get mental health services from all health center 3s on division levels, Mulago Bossa Mental Health unit, Butabiika main National referral hospital and also kiruddu hospital.
On that note, I believe much has to be done in the Ugandan education system to effectively include all individuals regardless of their psycho-social abilities.
Th may include:-
i) Training / awareness raising to teachers about mental health and rights of those with a lived experience to be included in the field of attaining knowledge and skills as much as with due attention as others while at school.
ii) The government should employ psychiatrists at all school levels to help with psychiatry services like counselling, psycho social support, peer to peer capacity building.
iii) I also believe that when the Uganda National examinations board (UNEB) gives merit to those with a lived experience, it can help give a chance to People with a lived a experience in mental illness to be effectively included since some schools fear admitting students with a lived experience due to fearing that they won’t perform well at the final examinations.
This should also be practiced at University level, that students who face mental health problems before completion of studies, should be a given a chance to resume studies at any time regardless of the entry academic year .
iv) And lastly Refresher courses to lecturers, primary and secondary teachers about mental health should be put in place, as a way to invest in mental health and nurture conducive
This can help create awareness of mental health to a wider number of people in the country.
In conclusion in a way to invest in mental health. The education system should be much Involved because many people are denied success in life in relation to bad policies in schools and universities which don’t cater for the vulnerable groups.
By Ntege Marvin
The writer is a person with a Lived Experiencing working under the MENTAL HEALTH CHAMPIONS ACDEMY of MHU