By THE INDEPENDENT UG
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Health has been urged to support mental health and suicide awareness campaigns, addressing the issue without stigmatizing victims. Uganda ranks 17th globally in countries where suicide is registered as a cause of death, with 18.67 per 100,000 deaths attributed to suicide.
Stuart Raymond Kasule, a suicide prevention trainer and mental health advocate based in Australia, emphasized the need to train health workers to detect mental health and suicide cases, enabling appropriate responses. Kasule suggested that the Ministry of Health should promote suicide and mental health safe talks and awareness in public and schools to combat stigma.
Citing the World Health Organization (WHO), which reports one suicide every 40 seconds globally, Kasule highlighted that suicide surpasses homicides and war combined, becoming a leading cause of death among the youth. According to WHO, nearly 800,000 people die by suicide each year, with more than 20 suicide attempts for each death.
Kasule recommended adopting suicide intervention and prevention models from Living Works Australia, endorsed by WHO, tailored to integrate into Uganda’s local and cultural behaviors for maximum benefit.
Dr. Hafsa Lukwata, head of the mental health division at the Ministry of Health, expressed support for destigmatizing suicide to facilitate access to health services for victims.
Andrew Kyamagero, a male activist, stressed the importance of having workable models for mental health at various levels, from households to the national level. He emphasized the need to integrate mental health discussions into existing healthcare structures, ensuring accessibility and understanding at all levels of society.
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