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We Need to Acknowledge Mental Health Challenges in Uganda.

I'm not going to lie to you and say that I am a mental health activist of some sort fighting for the rights of people living with mental health illnesses in Uganda. However, when I was diagonised with Schizophrenia, I wanted to expose myself to literature and I was priviledged to join some support groups online which was a real eyeopener. I realised that there are better systems in place in places like Europe and The USA. Mental illnesses are recognised for the real challenges that they are. People are able to get disability benefits if needed and equal opportunities in work places. In short it is recognised that mental illnesses can be treated and managed but they can also be quite debilitating and people living with them need all the support that they can get. Personally I had a challenging time while at university. It took me almost twice as long as my mates to complete my Bachelor's degree. This was because I had to constantly take breaks due to manic and depressive episo
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Mental Health Challenge Does not Equal A Demonic attack

As Africans our minds have been plagued with the inconsolable idea that any mental health challenge must be a curse from the gods. Many a times as a person living with Schizophrenia I have been given all sorts of advise for instance: "Go to your ancestral burial site and sort things","It will stop once you get married", "simply pray and fast it away." What makes you think that it's that simple or cut and dry? How come you haven't managed to pray away some things in your life or in our society? What makes you think that your approach is the right approach? Many times I have found Christians myself being one so no offense to have the most basic and simple way of thinking. Dare I say Myopic!!! It's not always a spiritual attack. Sometimes it is an illnes that needs to be treated like any other illness alongside prayer. Stop giving people venomous advice that could actually be harmful to them and those around them. Be a help to yourself and you
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