Sacred Heart University in Gulu City has initiated mental health rehabilitation services for the neighboring community.
Northern Uganda has been contending with numerous mental health disorders over the past two decades, partly attributed to the repercussions of the Lord’s Resistance Army Rebels’ war.
The Mental Health Unit at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital receives an average of 800 individuals with mental illness annually. Consolate Apio, the Counselor at the University of Sacred Heart Gulu, stated that the university recently established a mental health rehabilitation unit to address post-traumatic stress disorder prevalent in the community.
Apio mentioned that the rehabilitation unit has already assisted four patients with mental health conditions from the community, while two others were referred from different health facilities. Additionally, four secondary schools in the region with high incidences of drug and substance abuse have been enrolled for continuous counseling, with Counseling Psychology students playing a crucial role in tackling the issue.
Although Apio couldn’t provide specific school details and learner statistics, she noted that the affected schools are grappling with indiscipline and substance abuse disorders. Collin Chua Kisembo, a graduate of Community Psychology, commended the university for introducing counseling, which greatly influenced his approach to community cases three years after enrollment.
Kisembo revealed that even before completing the course, he had counseled over 150 individuals in the community, addressing issues related to domestic violence, drugs, and substance abuse disorders.
Dr. John Baptist Odama, the Chancellor of the University of the Sacred Heart Gulu, lauded the graduates for their efforts in providing healing to post-conflict Northern Uganda. Speaking at the university’s third graduation ceremony, Dr. Odama commended the institution for addressing the psychosocial needs of the people.
He urged the graduates to utilize their newfound skills and knowledge to contribute to societal solutions, emphasizing the mission of promoting both physical and mental well-being for development. Dr. Odama acknowledged the prolonged nature of healing from trauma and stressed the importance of the university’s involvement in quality research and community engagements to address the mental health needs effectively.
Furthermore, he called on the graduates to combat corruption in all its forms, asserting that corruption weakens humanity and significantly impacts people’s quality of life.
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