Report Summary
The Centre for Children in Vulnerable Situations (CCVS)-Uganda, a branch of CCVS-International, focuses on enhancing mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in post-war Northern Uganda, particularly in Lira District. In 2018, the organization provided specialized psychotherapeutic services and strengthened local capacities to address the lingering effects of over 20 years of civil war and collective violence.
Organizational Context
CCVS-International was established in 2008 by three Belgian universities to support the psychosocial wellbeing of children and communities affected by war in eight countries, including Uganda. CCVS-Uganda operates as an expertise and learning hub offering mental health services, training, and community sensitization activities.
Problem Statement
The prolonged effects of war, displacement, and poverty in Northern Uganda have caused widespread mental health issues, including trauma, depression, and domestic violence. The region lacks sufficient psychological support services, compounded by a scarcity of qualified professionals and the withdrawal of many aid organizations.
Objectives
- Improve mental health for war-affected individuals through targeted psychotherapeutic services.
- Enhance local capacity by training community stakeholders and therapy facilitators.
- Raise awareness of mental health challenges via radio broadcasts, workshops, and community sensitization activities.
Implementation Areas
Activities were conducted across 27 communities, 12 schools, and 2 health centers in Lira District, including the Lira Mental Health Unit and Lira Main Prisons.
Key Achievements in 2018
1. Psychotherapeutic Support
- Beneficiaries: 531 individuals received counselling through individual, couple, family, and group sessions, with 577 sessions conducted in total.
- Innovative Interventions: Staff were trained in modern therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
2. Capacity Building
- Community Stakeholders: 140 individuals trained on mental health support, benefiting 2,292 persons and referring 808 for specialized care.
- Community Therapy Facilitators: 12 facilitators trained, conducting 96 sessions that reached 974 community members.
3. Awareness Campaigns
- 35 radio programs and 45 sensitization activities conducted in schools, communities, and prisons to increase knowledge about mental health and the impact of war.
Conclusion
CCVS-Uganda’s interventions have significantly improved access to mental health support in Lira District, strengthened local capacities, and promoted sustainable community-based approaches to reconciliation and healing. These efforts contribute to long-term peacebuilding and stability in the region.
