Dealing with Depression in Uganda - Part 2

(This is the second of two blog posts from Brian Mukalazi, the Country Director for ECM-Uganda. Part one appeared last week.)

Studies have revealed that the prevalence of depression is higher in women than in men and is the main cause of disability in women. Some experts however believe that depression is under-reported in men, perhaps because men may be less likely to talk about feelings and seek help for mood disorders.

While some people idealize childhood, in reality, children may feel shaken by developmental changes and events over which they have little or no control. At Every Child Ministries Uganda (a local Non-Government Organization) we handle more than 250 children/teens and we have consistently observed that those with adverse childhood experiences including abusive family history, vulnerable physical health, living on streets and slums of Kampala, continue to face several episodes of depression.

In older people, depression may occur in conjunction with other illnesses that mask the depressive symptoms. Many times, health care professionals treat the medical illness and overlook the depression.

WHO Global Health Estimates have revealed that depression is the major contributor to suicide deaths around the world standing at 800,000 per year.

Worse still, majority of the people in need of treatment for depression do not receive it due to lack of information about the illness. By 2015, Uganda was reported to have only 30 practicing psychiatrists serving a population of more than 36 million people.

It is therefore important for the government of Uganda and other stakeholders to increase access to services and provide the necessary support for people with depression in communities. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) for example has gone ahead to create a Ministry of State for Happiness and Wellbeing which purposely oversees government plans, programs and policies to achieve a happier society.

While these challenges are substantial, there is an opportunity for a new kind of response to mental health need. This can be implemented at an individual, community, and national level. Thus, it is time to educate ourselves about depression and support those who are suffering from this mental disorder.