SI-KamuKamu (“One by one makes a bundle.”): Empowering schools and students to reduce the mental health burden in Uganda

UG2022SIN360A101 01/09/2022 - 31/08/2024 The mental health burden in school-going adolescents in Uganda was already high pre-Covid 19 and increased significantly during the pandemic. Only 10-20 % of severe mental cases in adolescents are currently being treated. In this project, school staff in the Masaka and Gulu health districts will be trained to recognize early signs, screen for common mental health problems and make referrals via Uganda’s digital health platform. District Mental Health Advisory Boards will be set up in order to create a multi-sectorial mental health policy at district level. Together with the NGO “Reach the Youth Uganda”, Kyambogo University and the KU Leuven will empower existing school health clubs and elaborate curricular and extracurricular activities in order to transform school communities to safe and supportive environments. Finally, researchers from Kyambogo University will be able to work within a multi-stakeholder framework and assist in formulating recommendations for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Action plan 2025-2035.