By Aryane Ninsiima
The Uganda Christian University (UCU) Health Awareness Week began on June 30, 2024, under the theme “My Mind, My Body, My Responsibility” at Guild Square. The week’s goal was to provide students with health services they might not easily access outside the university. These services include tuberculosis screening, free eye check-ups, cervical cancer screening, and HIV counselling and testing.
This year, mental health services were added to the week’s activities to increase awareness.
Krystal Mulomi, a psychologist from Safe Places Uganda, explained, “Just as physical health strengthens the body, mental health strengthens the mind. One does not have to be sick to take care of their mind.” She noted that activities meant to improve physical health, such as exercising, also benefit mental health since a healthy body leads to a healthy mind. Including mental health in Health Awareness Week is a step towards raising awareness and breaking stereotypes, such as the belief that mental health is not relevant to Africans.
However, much work remains to create a judgement-free space for mental health discussions.
Joy Atuhaire, a second-year law student, shared that speaking to experts was an eye-opening experience once she set aside misconceptions about mental health.
She learned that supporting someone suffering mentally requires creating a positive environment, as they often have a negative outlook on life. Improving one’s mental well-being involves working on both intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships.
Dr. Geoffrey Mulindwa, the head of Alan Galpin, emphasised the importance of mental health discussions with university staff and students.
He stated, “People are experiencing a lot of stress, leading to depression, illness, and an inability to function. This is why mental health discussions are crucial.”
He also added that there have been cases where students were close to suicide because they couldn’t release their stress.
“It’s essential for individuals to find ways to calm down after stressful experiences, such as through exercising, which also benefits physical health.” Dr. Mulindwa further added
