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MENTAL HEALTH IN UGANDA

Young people’s mental health has reached a crisis point, with cases of depression among the youth increasing significantly over the past years. Half of all mental health problems manifest by the age of 14, with 75% by the age of 24. The rising cases of suicide especially among the youth in our country raise a...

They Never died before.

The other day, I received news that a childhood friend had passed on. A few weeks before this, I lost a brother and in the same month, members within my professional and social circle had “Rest In Peace” messages on their WhatsApp statuses towards the soul of one comrade who lost the battle that ended...

Don’t Share Your Recovery With Unsupportive People

In addition to my last entry, I just want to say this: If you were not part of your loved one’s recovery, then you do not deserve to revel in the aftermath of it. If you left me to wither alone when you knew that I couldn’t save myself, then you don’t get to share...

International Day of the African Child: Please Allow me Vent!

Dear Reader,I would like to share with you a feel of how the day of the scenic African child can be better now and for posterity.A photo of children taken during a Mazungumzo eventI use the antonym “scenic” as though the word itself is simultaneous to having pleasing or beautiful scenery. The state of affairs...

Ghosts And The Brain: Taking control of your mental health.

Few people would candidly admit fearing ghosts to the point of feeling uncomfortable if left home alone late at night. In fact, fears of the supernatural have only occasionally been a focus of attention in the clinical literature. This write, is to speak to these brave and help seeking cases and perhaps energize through this...

Young people, Peace building and the sustainable Development goals;A Youth baraza conversation

*MENTAL HEALTH DURING ELECTION SEASON* With a little more weeks to go to the presidential elections, stress and mental anxiety surrounding Uganda politics accelerates every day. This election period exposes a large number of Ugandans across all ages and gender to significant stress in their lives, anxiety and depression and this is because mental health affects how we think, feel and act.*SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL DISORDER DURING ELECTION SEASON* 1. Getting less sleep.2. Having trouble falling or staying asleep.3. Increased irritability.4. Increased general anxiety.5. Physical indications like headache, stomach pain,and body aches.*WAYS OF MANAGING MENTAL DISORDERS DURING ELECTION SEASON*a) Being mindful of the effects that news alerts, political articles and social media surfing have on your level of stress. Ask your self whether the level of engagement is helpful or harmful, and take concrete steps to reduce your exposure if needed.b) Turn anger and anxiety into constructive action. Support the changes you would like to see by donating to organisations you value. Volunteering as an advocate, or educating your self about issues that matter to you.c) Identifying”coping buddies” for campaigning nights and consider not just focusing on the election. Plan other activities like playing games online together, watching series, making new recipes or watching some movie.d) Connect with loved ones (off social media), this is one of the best ways to counteract long-term stress and anxiety. This can be done through reaching out to friends and loved ones during your anxious time.The aforementioned ideas can greatly reduce the rising mental health issues during this election period.*MUNYOKOLI EMMANUEL**Permanent member of The Youth Baraza*

MENTAL HEALTH DURING ELECTION SEASON

With a little more weeks to go to the presidential elections, stress and mental anxiety surrounding Uganda politics accelerates every day. This election period exposes a large number of Ugandans across all ages and gender to significant stress in their lives, anxiety and depression and this is because mental health affects how we think, feel...

The Mysterious face of People Power and the Rise of Populism in Uganda. A Youth Baraza publication by Diogo Eric.

                                                . (Photo by Isaac Kasamani / AFP) (Photo credit should read ISAAC KASAMANI/AFP via Getty Images)We live at a time when democracy is under attack, Global populism has best played in the USA where we’ve seen the rise and fall of Trump. The country Uganda has not...