Uganda Healthcare Workers Face Mental Health Crisis

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A staggering 27% of Ugandan healthcare workers in facility settings suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, with depression and anxiety affecting 14% and 10% respectively, according to a recent Aga Khan University study. These stark figures illuminate a silent crisis within the healthcare system, a crisis Dr Daniel Okello knows all too well. “My work constantly tests my resilience and mental health,” confesses Dr Okello, the City Health Officer from Gulu City in Uganda. “In the past, I had no outlet to share what I was going through.”

Dr Okello eagerly joined the Aga Khan University research study, hoping to shed light on the mental health struggles he shared with his colleagues. “Participating was a turning point,” he explains. The study’s introspective questions forced him to confront the complexities of mental health, revealing its signs and symptoms and fostering a deeper empathy for his fellow healthcare professionals.

The journey wasn’t easy. “At times, it felt as if I was navigating a stormy sea of anxiety and secondary trauma,” Dr Okello recalls, describing the distress of recognizing his own mental health concerns reflected in the experiences of others. Thankfully, the study provided crucial mental health support to its participants.

The impact on Dr Okello has been profound. “The study has transformed me,” he says. Now self-aware of his mental health strengths and vulnerabilities, he’s adopted positive lifestyle changes, stress management techniques, and self-care practices. “I am in a better place mentally,” he affirms, “with renewed determination to advocate for mental health awareness among my colleagues and community. I am better armed with knowledge and empathy to face whatever comes next.”

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A staggering 27% of Ugandan healthcare workers in facility settings suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, with depression and anxiety affecting 14% and 10% respectively, according to a recent Aga Khan University study. These stark figures illuminate a silent crisis within the healthcare system, a crisis Dr Daniel Okello knows all too well. “My work constantly tests my resilience and mental health,” confesses Dr Okello, the City Health Officer from Gulu City in Uganda. “In the past, I had no outlet to share what I was going through.”

Dr Okello eagerly joined the Aga Khan University research study, hoping to shed light on the mental health struggles he shared with his colleagues. “Participating was a turning point,” he explains. The study’s introspective questions forced him to confront the complexities of mental health, revealing its signs and symptoms and fostering a deeper empathy for his fellow healthcare professionals.

The journey wasn’t easy. “At times, it felt as if I was navigating a stormy sea of anxiety and secondary trauma,” Dr Okello recalls, describing the distress of recognizing his own mental health concerns reflected in the experiences of others. Thankfully, the study provided crucial mental health support to its participants.

The impact on Dr Okello has been profound. “The study has transformed me,” he says. Now self-aware of his mental health strengths and vulnerabilities, he’s adopted positive lifestyle changes, stress management techniques, and self-care practices. “I am in a better place mentally,” he affirms, “with renewed determination to advocate for mental health awareness among my colleagues and community. I am better armed with knowledge and empathy to face whatever comes next.”