PLOS Mental Health ‘Community Case Studies’: Tackling stigma and improving psychosocial support in Uganda

In the latest PLOS Mental Health ‘Community Case Studies’ blog, we speak to Mpaata Alex, who founded Psychiki Ygeia Foundation Uganda (PYFU), a non-governmental organization that aims to raise mental health awareness, offer support and reduce stigma in Uganda.

***Content Warning: The below contains some topics of conversation that some may find uncomfortable. Please engage at your own discretion***

Please tell us a bit about yourself and how Psychiki Ygeia Foundation Uganda came to be 

[MA] My name is Mpaata Alex, a Ugandan national from the East African region. Over eight years ago, I graduated from Makerere University with a Bachelor’s degree in Community Psychology. At the start of my career, I worked with three local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Uganda, beginning as a volunteer and eventually transitioning into full-time employment. After a short period in formal NGO roles, I decided to join research institutions as a data collector. It was through this path that I was hired by Makerere University School of Health Sciences to work on a project aimed at improving the lives of individuals living with severe mental illnesses. I was stationed at several regional referral hospitals in the central region of Uganda. 

For four years, I served in this role, which allowed me to closely interact with hospital doctors and patients. While at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, the facility faced overwhelming patient numbers and a shortage of medical staff. I was compelled to support the clinicians in attending to patients, which was initially a challenging task, but one I embraced because the need was, and still is, immense. Through this hands-on experience, I realized that many of the patients seeking care lacked awareness about mental health conditions that could have been prevented or better managed through proper sensitization. I also observed poor medication adherence, largely due to misinformation and stigma, which in some cases led to severe consequences, including death. The stigma surrounding mental illness in communities also limited access to essential health services. Motivated by these challenges, I founded Psychiki Ygeia Foundation Uganda (PYFU), a non-governmental organization dedicated to raising mental health awareness and supporting individuals affected by mental illness. Our mission is to reduce stigma, increase knowledge about mental well-being, and provide support for those living with mental health conditions. PYFU now actively works in communities, including schools and hospitals, to promote mental health education and provide psycho-social support.

What are the biggest challenges that you face regarding mental health support in your community?

[MA]

1. Limited Knowledge and Awareness of Mental Well-being
One of the most pressing challenges is the widespread lack of understanding about mental health and well-being. Many people in the community do not know what mental well-being is, how to live a mentally healthy life, or how to create supportive environments. Due to this knowledge gap, individuals often allow stress, poor body image, poverty, and misunderstandings to negatively impact their mental health. Unfortunately, mental illnesses are often misunderstood and attributed to witchcraft or spiritual causes, leading many to seek help from traditional healers instead of medical professionals. As a result, patients often arrive at health facilities when their conditions have severely worsened.

2. Poor Access to Mental Health Services and Medicine
In Masaka and the surrounding districts, access to mental health services is extremely limited. There is only one hospital serving more than five districts with specialized mental health care. Some patients travel up to 85 kilometers to receive treatment, incurring high transport costs. Even after making the journey, they often find the hospital lacks essential medications, forcing them to buy medicines privately something many cannot afford. This discourages return visits, leading to self-medication or complete abandonment of treatment. Furthermore, the mental health ward is severely understaffed, with clinicians overwhelmed by the high number of patients, which negatively affects the quality of care.

3. Stigma and Cultural Beliefs
Mental illness is heavily stigmatized in the community. It is often seen as a curse, a spiritual attack, or divine punishment for wrongdoing. This stigma leads to fear, discrimination, and social isolation of individuals with mental health conditions. Families often abandon their loved ones to avoid community shame. As a result, many people suffering from mental illness are unwilling or afraid to seek help, worsening their condition and further entrenching the cycle of neglect and misunderstanding.

…access to mental health services is extremely limited. There is only one hospital serving more than five districts with specialized mental health care…

What have been the most notable changes over the last few years?

We have been in existence for two years and have already achieved some meaningful milestones. We’ve observed increased awareness and understanding of mental health in the communities we serve, particularly in schools. Through our outreach efforts, hospital training, and educational sessions, patients and community members are gradually gaining a better understanding of mental health conditions and how to manage them.

Where do you hope things go over the next 10 years?

[MA] Over the next decade, as a foundation, we aim to achieve the following goals:

• Increase mental health awareness by at least 20%, empowering individuals with the knowledge to understand and support mental well-being.

• Boost the number of people seeking mental health services by 15% across the districts of Masaka, Wakiso, and surrounding areas.

• Expand access to mental health care by increasing the number of health facilities offering mental health services—along with the necessary medications by 5%.

• Reduce stigma related to mental illness within communities by 10%, fostering a more supportive and accepting environment for those facing mental health challenges.

At PLOS Mental Health, we hope that PYFU goes from strength to strength and will be following and supporting their journey. As detailed in their latest report (below), some key milestones that they have achieved include:

• Empowering Students
  Over 2,400 students have been equipped with the knowledge and skills to recognize, manage, and advocate for mental well-being among their peers.

• Training Teachers
  58 educators have received training to identify and address mental health challenges in school settings, helping foster more supportive and inclusive learning environments.

• Supporting Caregivers
  98 caregivers have been provided with practical tools and guidance to better support their loved ones on the path to mental wellness.

• Impacting Patients
  50 people have benefited from our psycho-social therapy sessions, reporting improved morale and renewed hope in their journey toward recovery.