Mental Health concerns rise in Nakivale refugee settlement

Local leaders in Isingiro District have highlighted the positive impact of projects offering psychosocial support to refugees in Nakivale Refugee Settlement.

The Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Isingiro District is one of Uganda's oldest and largest, with over 180,000 refugees from seven African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi.

A number of interventions have been instituted to support the refugees, many of whom have experienced trauma and violence, both of which are linked to mental health problems.

Prominent among the bodies providing support is the Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Uganda (TPO).

According to Manirakiza Elias, a regional coordinator with TPO, the organisation works closely with the local communities to ensure that care reaches those who need it the most.

"Key individuals are identified from the community through working collaboratively with local government systems to enhance systems strengthening, realize referrals, and address mental issues in society," he says.

"Through offering psychosocial support to those with mental problems, suicidal cases and domestic violence had dropped significantly. Many referrals have been made and managed," Kizza reveals.

Wabigiya Daniel, a psychiatrist, agrees that the impact has been significant, adding that the refugees still need support in other areas to alleviate the stress they face.

"Post-traumatic disorders have dropped. However, due to dwindling food support provided to refugees, some remain stressed," Wabigiya argues.

However, with the TPO project period soon coming to a close, Isingiro district Chairperson, Alone Turahi has expressed concern over the potential impact this could have on the refugee and host communities.

"We are worried that mental cases may increase if donors stop funding psychosocial support projects, which may also lead to an increase in crime," Turahi says.

Moreover, it could also affect access to medication and counselling, both of which development partners such as TPO (U) have been offering to hundreds of refugees and members of the host communities.

This, psychiatrists say, could reverse the progress made in reducing suicidal cases over the past three years, and cripple efforts to reach out to people suffering from mental issues, especially men who are disproportionately affected.