Changing attitudes: success in supporting Mental Health in Uganda

Since their collaboration was instituted in 2006, our partners in Uganda have:

• created strong partnerships with 10 local and international organisations, including Give A Fig Volunteering, which have made the achievement of their goals (initially to reduce the rates of suicide amongst young people in Uganda) possible

• saved over 430 people from suicide through timely crisis intervention

• created safe spaces where 200 suicide survivors’ meet monthly to support one another

• supported over 1,000 people in the community living with mental illness; actively supporting 123 in 2022

• since 2018 we have organised annual suicide prevention awareness walks (2018, 2019, 2022), which have been attended by over 7000 people

• started and support mental health clubs in 6 universities and institutions of higher learning. Over 5,000 students have received mental health training, and some have had addiction support

• initiated and support mental health clubs in 6 schools

• trained 165 health workers on trauma-informed approaches to mental health support

• broadcast over 35 TV and 50 radio programs informing communities about our work, and support for their communities

• Have teams that work in the community year round raising awareness of the support for families living with family members with mental illness