Mental health challenges continue to prevail at an alarming rate in post-war Northern Uganda, a circumstance that has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has amplified stress levels due to acute financial constraints and widespread unemployment.
Despite these challenges, efforts to manage the rising mental health burden are hindered by a lack of psychiatric professionals, understaffing, and insufficient funding for mental health services.
Derrick Kiiza, the Executive Director of Mental Health Uganda, highlights the scarcity of psychiatric professionals in the country, which makes it difficult to address the mental health needs of the population.
With only a small number of psychiatrists stationed in key hospitals, other regional facilities rely on psychiatric nurses to deliver care.
Research conducted by organizations like the Mental Health Disability Advocacy Centre (MDAC) and Mental Health Uganda (MHU) has revealed a high number of daily mental health cases in National and Regional Referral Hospitals, with a national average of 34%. Mental illness has been identified as a significant factor in suicides, particularly in the Acholi sub-region.
Uganda’s mental health challenges align with global concerns highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO), which reports a high number of annual suicides worldwide.
Signs of mental health issues include mood fluctuations, social withdrawal, self-harm ideation, and giving away personal belongings.
Uganda’s ranking among the top countries internationally in terms of mental health disorder prevalence, as recognized by the WHO, encompasses a range of disorders from anxiety and depression to more severe conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychoses, dementia, and autism.
A recent report suggests that around 14 million Ugandans are grappling with various forms of mental disorders.
Compounding the challenge are cultural misconceptions and beliefs that hinder progress in addressing mental health issues. Traditional cultural practices often take precedence over modern therapeutic interventions.
In response to these complex challenges, an unconventional approach involving professional bodybuilders has emerged to address mental health problems in Northern Uganda.
The Northern Uganda Bodybuilding and Fitness Association collaborates with healthcare professionals, educators, media representatives, and the sports community to organize competitive events for bodybuilders and weightlifters, while also offering psychosocial support and counseling services to the public.
This initiative, led by figures like Michael Ojok (Big Mike) and supported by influential individuals like Robinson Jenine and George Openjuru Ladaah, aims to provide hope, deter criminality, and promote a positive outlook through sports engagement. The approach goes beyond physical training, focusing on emotional well-being, mood enhancement, and cognitive perspectives.
Additionally, endorsements from academic institutions like Gulu University highlight the potential of sports, including bodybuilding, to enhance mental well-being.
The approach pursued by the Power Centre in Gulu City showcases how a holistic approach, combining counseling, tailored workout routines, and mindset redirection, can lead to positive outcomes.
Beneficiaries of such programs have shown revitalized spirits and a determination to channel energies into constructive pursuits. Research further supports the benefits of physical exercise on mental well-being, including the release of mood-enhancing hormones like endorphins and serotonin.
Efforts to broaden the reach of this methodology include regional bodybuilding competitions. These initiatives aim to create a positive impact on mental health while engaging the community and promoting a proactive approach to well-being.