PSYCHOLOGIST GRADUATES IMPLORED ON MASS TRAUMA TREATMENT
Lakony told our reporter that he has conducted research on the effect of COVID-19 on the mental wellbeing of the communities.
By Christopher Nyeko
GULU: The Chancellor of Sacred Heart University, Most Rev. John Baptist Odama, who doubles as archbishop of the Gulu archdiocese, has urged graduates in counseling and psychology to apply their fresh knowledge acquired from the university to treat trauma illness among the society.
Odama made the imploration while addressing the grandaunts from Sacred Heart University Campus in for God Bardege-Layibi division in Gulu city over the weekend during their second graduation ceremony.
He justified the fact that Northern Uganda is currently battling with a lot of trauma cases resulting from the long war it experienced. The various traumas include depression, stress, mental illness, and substance abuse.
Odama revealed that people are killing one another and committing suicide, while others have resorted to antisocial behavior and substance abuse, all because of the trauma that has affected the community’s social development, production, and increase in criminality.
‘’It’s now incumbent upon you to work hard in promoting sustainable development, peace, harmony and love in the community as you will work on their head to address that route of all these challenges in our community,’’ he said.
At least 15 graduated in bachelor of counseling psychology and were part of 32student who graduated in different academic disciplines.
In July 2022, the statistics from the Gulu health department indicated that Gulu district registered 3,484 cases of mental illness within seven months.
The cases include anxiety disorder (213), bipolar disorder (206), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (185), schizophrenia (32), and HIV-related psychosis (25). Others include alcohol use disorder, anxiety disorder due to Gender Based Violence-GBV, alcohol Demetria and adult mental conditions.
Mr. Lakony Michael, the Amuru district chairman who obtained a degree in counseling and psychology, said he is going to work with his people as a community counselor.
Lakony told our reporter that he has conducted research on the effect of COVID-19 on the mental wellbeing of the communities.
Ms. Lakaraber Stella Goretti, another graduate in counseling and psychology, said she joined the course due to the violence she has experienced in her home and is hopeful that she will use the knowledge to address the community’s traumatic challenges.
Mr. Okello Geoffrey, the Nwoya East MP, said these people should not claim that there is no work, but they should let the community benefit from their services.
He noted that it is through community psychologists that mental health-related challenges will be addressed, adding that the government has not put much emphasis on addressing the post-war effect.
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