Liberty Offers Support To Mental Health Challenges In Uganda.
Liberty Uganda
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Liberty Offers Support To Mental Health Challenges In Uganda
Many people in low and middle-income countries face daily challenges, and their mental health has been additionally burdened by financial situations, health issues, and effects from the recent COVID-19 pandemic that hit the globe, among others.
Mental health is an active state of mind which enables a person to use their abilities in coordination with the shared human tenets of society. It is the pivot of human life. However, despite its importance, it is often the least prioritized among health conditions. In low and medium-income countries like Uganda, where disease, ignorance, and poverty are common, demand for steadfast mental healthcare can seem a luxury.
According to the records from the World Health Organization (WHO, in 2020), the COVID-19 pandemic in the early months of 2020 was classed a disaster to cause mental illness among Ugandans. It was an acute stressor that induced trauma and destabilized individuals.?
During that period, Uganda reported 39,314 positive cases, 318 deaths and 53 new cases as of January 26, 2021 (according to the Ministry of Health), and having survived this life-threatening, life-altering virus- many Ugandans were convicted with fear, trauma and chronic stress compounded by the daily anxiety, uncertainty and hardship produced by the pandemic. With the highest rates in the capital city of Kampala and towns on the borders with neighbouring countries in history, the pandemic has been a significant cause for Mental Health in this Nation.
So as a motive to increase funding for mental and psychiatric care services in the country, there have been a handful of positive initiatives using different approaches to support people who are mentally ill and their families, with the dual aim of changing the mindset, reducing disability and reducing poverty.?
In this case, Liberty Life Assurance Uganda (LLAU) has become one of the pioneers. As a national service user organization on Mental Health in this country, we have leveraged local partnerships to carry out innovative peer support, awareness and advocacy, and livelihood activities to support the challenge of Mental Health in Uganda.
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To support this effect (in 2021), last year, LLAU vowed to collaborate with Soul Foundation annually to push the initiative of "Christmas at Butabika"- shading a positive light and changing the mindset of Ugandans towards mental health.
This year we donated Christmas hampers as a contribution from our staff and as a company, we were able to donate money used for Christmas preparations.
As Uganda progresses with increasing life expectancy and reducing poverty, an increase in mental health budgets should be possible, with a reduction in the inequality between psychological and physical healthcare. If the government can heed the international concerns regarding human rights (and accept the significant support on offer), improve and adapt its draft Mental Health Bill, and work with pharmaceutical companies to increase drug availability, things could change quickly.
Well, as Liberty Life Assurance Uganda- we shall always be "In It With You", as our slogan says. We are here to not only add a beneficial impact on our esteemed clients, staff members and other stakeholders. We care about Ugandans' mental health through strategic partnerships/sponsorships, financial planning services, and mentorship programs (our financial literacy training) which may be some of the significant ways to curb mental health challenges in this Nation.