The number of mentally ill persons seeking #mentalhealthservices at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital has drastically reduced amidst the rising number of deaths by #suicide in Acholi sub region.
Freddy Odong, a psychiatric #nurse and the project manager of #suicideprevention at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital says the number of persons seeking #mentalhealthservices has dropped from between 60 to 80 each day to just 9 #patients currently.
He says so many people have abandoned treatment and there is too much reoccurrence of #mentalillness contributing to the higher number of deaths in the region.
Odongo explained that communities have continued discriminating people with #mentalillness which accounts for relapses and higher incidents of #suicide in the region.
Lucy Amony, a mother of six #children from Kirombe ward in Gulu West division says her daughter has battled #mentalillness for the last twenty-five years amidst #stigma and discrimination from the community.
She says her husband abandoned her with the #children and married another #woman after the family spent more than Shillings 8 million on treating her daughter.
“The drugs are very expensive and yet we are advised from the hospital to get them from pharmacies. I can’t afford now after my small scale business collapsed with #Covid-19,” Amony told Uganda Radio Network.
She has appealed to the government to prioritize support for people with #mentalhealthproblems through the provision of sufficient drugs in the hospital to save them the burden of treatment.
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
John Paul Nyeko, the chairperson #MentalHealth Uganda for Northern Uganda revealed that over 1,500 patients with #mentalillnesses are currently on treatment at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital.
He however said #stigma and discriminations against people with #mentalillnesses remain the major hindrances to breaking the cycle of #mentalhealth insurgency in the North.
“You may recall that none of the families of people with mentally ill persons in Gulu received food relief from government during the lockdown and the exclusions have continued,” Nyeko said.
However, in an early interview, Sister Immaculate Akello, the in charge #MentalHealth Unit at Gulu Regional Referral called for more awareness creation.
“#Mentalillness is beyond one’s choices and that calls for care of the #patients at home to enhance treatment,” Sister Akello said.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
