ACTV experts warn of possible spike in cases of mental illness in karamoja

11 December 2024, 6:22 pm

By Jennifer Acheng &Francis Owiny

Mental health experts from the African center for treatment and rehabilitation of torture victims (ACTV) have warned of a possible spike in mental illness cases in Karamoja, if alcoholism and drug abuse are not restrained in the region.

They were speaking, Tuesday during the commemoration of 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence-GBV, attended by hundreds of dignitaries, at Kaabong magistrate’s court premises.

 ACTV, a non-governmental, human rights organization has been conducting a number of community outreach activities including radio talk-shows, community dialogues, treatment of torture victims in Karamoja region during the 16 days of activism against GBV, where they climaxed their activities with the commemoration of international human rights day in Kaabong

During the deliberations, most participants attributed the rising cases of mental illness in Karamoja to among others, gender based violence, torture, and other human rights violations.

Enon Linda Proscovia, a Clinical psychologist at ACTV, sighted alcoholism, drug abuse as well as gender based violence, as the major causes of mental illness in the region.

She observed that the issue has been made worse by parents who incorporate their children into alcoholism at an early age, something she says will likely lead to a rise in cases of mental illness.

Enon further notes that in order to avert the looming crisis, there is need for victims to promptly seek help, through the available ACTV community structures

   A mental health expert at ACTV speaking during the international human rights day

According to the latest report on mental illness and trauma in Karamoja, Kotido district has been ranked highest in alcohol consumption , with 56 of every100 people being alcoholics.

Dr Cerino Acar the Kotido district health officer says alcoholism is one of the major contributing factors to mental health and trauma in the district, noting that others include drug misuse, chronic illnesses, environmental factors, harsh family conditions, among others

Eric Donald Lokona, the Kaabong district community liaison officer says there is need for development partners like ACTV to heighten the fight against mental illness, through extending their services to more sub-counties in Karamoja

     Kaabong district community liaison officer addressing the crowd on human rights day

Riisa Bole Emmanuel, the ACTV program head , Kaabong district observed that they are currently implementing a strategic plan informed by six objectives and pillars of holistic treatment and rehabilitation, advocacy for torture prevention, research and documentation, livelihood support, legal aid and enhancing institutional sustainability

This year’s international human rights day was marked under the theme ‘’our rights our future right now” ENDS