By Oola Courage Allan
Communication Officer kitgumDLG
02/10/2026
KITGUM: Teachers from 21 schools in Kitgum District Local Government are undergoing training in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPS) aimed at strengthening their capacity to identify, support and appropriately refer learners and teachers experiencing mental health challenges.
The four day training being conducted at the district council hall is being implemented under the Gender for Development Uganda programme with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and conducted by the Ministry of Education and Sports.
The initiative seeks to equip teachers with practical knowledge and skills to provide basic mental health and psychosocial support within schools while strengthening referral mechanisms for learners and teachers who require specialised assistance.
Speaking during the training, Ms. Damalie Daphine Namazzi, a National Trainer on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support at the Ministry of Education and Sports, said mental health remains a significant challenge in Uganda, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said the effects of the pandemic increased the need to support both teachers and learners, noting that mental health challenges can affect learners’ academic performance, school attendance, relationships and general wellbeing.
“Mental health is quite a big challenge in the country. After COVID-19, there was a need to support teachers and learners because of the adverse effects of mental health, which in turn affected performance,” Namazzi said.
Namazzi explained that the Ministry of Education and Sports issued a circular on 22 September 2022 to districts and schools, directing schools to allocate at least one hour each week to address mental health concerns among learners and teachers.
She added that schools were also encouraged to allocate one percent of their budgets to mental health activities, including activities targeting senior men and senior women teachers who play an important role in supporting learners.
Namazzi said Gender for Development Uganda, with support from UNICEF, had come in to strengthen the implementation of mental health and psychosocial support interventions in 21 schools in Kitgum District.
Under the programme, four teachers from each of the 21 schools are being trained, with the expectation that the trained teachers will share the knowledge and skills with other members of staff, creating a multiplier effect across schools.
She said the approach would also involve Coordinating Centre Tutors (CCTs) to strengthen supervision and promote a sustainable system for mental health and psychosocial support in schools.
The national trainer further revealed that UNICEF had provided 21 copies of the draft Teachers’ Guide on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support to support teachers in implementing the interventions.
Namazzi urged the trained teachers to work closely with the District Community Development Department and the Probation and Social Welfare sector to identify, document and appropriately refer cases involving mental health and psychosocial challenges.
She also encouraged teachers to make use of established referral pathways and the Child Helpline 116 when reporting and seeking assistance for cases involving children.
Training to strengthen teachers’ capacity
The Kitgum District Education Officer, Lawot Anthony, described the training as important in addressing the mental health challenges affecting teachers and learners.
He said strengthening teachers’ knowledge and skills would enable them to better cope with challenges affecting their own wellbeing while also putting them in a stronger position to support learners facing mental health and psychosocial difficulties.
Anthony encouraged the trained teachers to apply the knowledge gained and share it with their colleagues to ensure that the benefits of the training extend beyond the participating teachers.
Improving learner retention
Akwero Florence Oryem, Education Officer for Guidance and Counselling at Kitgum District Local Government, said the training was intended to address some of the factors contributing to learners dropping out of school.
She said strengthening mental health and psychosocial support would contribute to improving learner retention by creating a school environment where learners can openly discuss challenges affecting their education and wellbeing.
According to Oryem, the intervention is also expected to reduce stress among both teachers and learners and provide opportunities for sharing pressing issues affecting the school community.
She said teachers have an important role in identifying early signs of distress among learners and ensuring that appropriate support and referral are provided before challenges escalate.
The training is expected to strengthen collaboration between schools, parents, communities and relevant district departments in addressing mental health and psychosocial challenges affecting children and education personnel.
The intervention also forms part of broader efforts to make schools safer and more supportive environments where learners can access guidance, counselling and appropriate psychosocial support.
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