UGANDA: MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AMONG UGANDAN YOUTH, WOULD YOU KNOW THAT THEY ARE MENTALLY STRUGGLING!?

Health corner, A lot of young people wear smiling and laughing faces, post happy pictures online, yet cry themselves to sleep.

Let’s talk about the mental health crisis in Uganda, more so among the youth

In Uganda, we often think that mental illness only affects people we see wandering the streets naked. This misconception causes many people unnoticed and unsupported

GULU CITY-SUNDAY JULY 5,2026

By Okumu Livingstone Langol, (Uganda Correspondent)

Verbatim Public debate

The Public Debate by Masika Roycelyn Masika Roycelyn

MBChB 3, Gulu University

Public speaker

According to a report by the Ministry of Health published in the New Vision, about 14 million Ugandans are living with a mental health condition.

“As a Ugandan, have you ever considered that you could be one of those 14 million people?”

As a you person I believe in that mental health is a crisis in current generation not because they are weak, but because the previous generations dealt with the same burden in quite different ways.

Let’s look at the some of the causes of this crisis

Firstly, there is a lot of pressure without opportunity and purpose. many youths are not certain about the future. In childhood, we are told work hard, get good grades and success will locate you but currently many graduates are jobless. the bright future they hoped for turn into hopelessness, then anxiety and depression take their course

Secondly, there’s a lot of social media illusions. we have watched our agemates live their “successful “lives, owning expensive apartments, driving posh cars.

This comparison steals away joy, creates racing thoughts, the feeling of worthlessness and anxiety

Thirdly, stigma in society. a lot of young people fear to admit their struggles because of fear to be judged. Peoples struggle become gossip topics and thus Many young people end up dying in their thoughts

It is important to highlight some of the possible solutions;

To begin with, let us normalize conversations about mental health, just as we have normalized talks about other diseases such as sickle cell, malaria, HIV.

Let’s create safe spaces where young people feel heard and supported.

we have normalized the “how are you and i am okay “conversations online, there’s a lot behind those screens. let’s strength the social relationships. check on your allies once in a while.

Additionally, mental health services should be availed at health facilities countrywide. Majority of Ugandans cannot afford a therapies and psychiatrists. Let us prioritize mental health because a healthy mind makes a healthy body

To sum up.

People are struggling mentally, let’s be kind to one another.

It is okay, not to be okay. speak up when things are not going on well

Let’s turn the stigma into understanding.

let’s turn hopelessness into hope.

Masika Roycelyn

MBChB 3, Gulu University

Public speaker

Roycelyn100@gmail.com

Gulu School of Public Speaking and Language is own by Onencan Richard Apil, the public debate took place on Sunday July 5,2026 at 2:30 PM