By Tolit Ivan
Despite the establishment of mental health clubs in most schools in Uganda, the education stakeholders in Gulu city have renewed calls for its strengthening following a surge in mental health cases across schools in Northern Uganda.
A recent report by SOS Children’s Village in partnership with Mental Health Uganda, Youth mental Norway, has reported a surge in mental health across schools in Northern Uganda, ranking stress due to poor performance as the leading cause of mental health among learners.
Other factors include family issues including domestic violence, bullying in schools, depression and anxiety, death of loved ones, suicidal thought and lastly physical and sexual violence.
On June, 2025, 30 secondary school students in Gulu City, were trained to provide Mental Health First Aid, to spearhead mental health clubs within their schools.
The training was championed by Mind Body and Soul (MBS), to destigmatize mental health issues and provide peer-to-peer support among adolescents.
However Richard Irwenyo, the Gulu City Education Officer, says there is need for a structured support systems within schools that go beyond traditional guidance and counselling.
The city education department has since directed all the schools to set up a mental health club and allocate 2 hours for mental health activities every Thursday of the week to provide counseling services to learners and also engage in sports activities.
