Press Release | US Government Invests in Ugandan Mental Health
Kampala, June 6, 2024 – The United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has announced its first mental health focused project in Uganda. The three-year, US$1 million Mental Health Integration Project will be implemented by StrongMinds, a mental health non-governmental organization and global leader in providing community-based, evidence-based, affordable mental health services. The announcement comes on the heels of Mental Health Awareness Month, highlighting the US Government’s commitment to this important issue.
“The U.S. Government recognizes that good mental health is essential to achieving and sustaining development goals in Uganda and around the world,” said USAID/Uganda Mission Director Daniel Nyirandutiye.
According to 2020 and 2022 data, Uganda ranks in the top six African countries for the incidence of depression and has the second highest suicide rate among East African men aged 18-35. People living with untreated mental health issues are statistically more likely to have poorer physical health, lower economic and educational achievement, and are more likely to become crime victims or be recruited into criminal or extremist activities. Unaddressed mental health issues can harm individuals, families and societies, significantly impacting development outcomes.
To address these concerns, mental health integration activities will:
1) Improve the mental health and overall wellbeing of activity participants.
2) Increase available, evidence-based, and affordable mental health services in the community by training community members how to effectively deliver these services.
3) Building and contributing to the local evidence base on mental health and development to inform policy advocacy and decision-making.
The project will work with existing USAID programs in child protection, health, education, economic growth, and human rights across Uganda to train communities on how to provide effective evidence-based psychoeducation and mental health screening and treatment.
Additionally, the project will be funded through USAID/Local Works, an initiative launched by the U.S. Congress to support new local partners working with USAID. StrongMinds was founded in 2013 to provide affordable, evidence-based psychoeducation and mental health screening and treatment to all Ugandans. As of March 2024, StrongMinds has treated more than 500,000 people and trained community members to continue to provide quality mental health services independently.
USAID is pleased to partner with StrongMinds on this innovative approach to help all Ugandans realize their full potential.
For further information, please contact:
Dorothy Nanyonga
Strategic Communications Specialist
US Mission to Uganda
Phone: +256-414-250-314×6104
Email: KampalaPress@state.gov
