"Breaking the silence: A Mental Health Conversation at Oxford Secondary School, Kampala"
By SSENGENDO HASSAN
On Wednesday 26th, march 2025 at Oxford Secondary School in Kawempe, Kampala in partnership with the ECO SPACE FOUNDATION, I stood before a room of resilient young minds to discuss a topic too often whispered about: *mental health*. Here’s a condensed reflection of our powerful dialogue.
Why Mental Health Matters
We opened with a collective breath—inhale hope, exhale fear—symbolizing the courage to confront struggles head-on. I reminded students that mental health is not a luxury but the bedrock of their dreams. “Your challenges don’t define you,” I said. “Your resilience does.”
The Invisible Battles
Ugandan teens face unique pressures:
1. Academic Stress: Exams, family expectations, and fears of failure.
2. Poverty’s Toll: Hunger, lack of school supplies, or juggling work and studies.
3. Social Strains: Grief, peer pressure, and gender-based risks (e.g., girls fearing dropout due to pregnancy).
Shattering Stigma
We debunked myths with truths:
- Myth: “Mental struggles = weakness.”
Truth: “They’re human, like malaria. Seeking help is strength.”
- Myth: *“Silence solves pain.”
Truth: “Speaking up halves the burden. Remember: ‘A problem shared is a problem halved.’”
I invoked Obuntu bulamu—the Ugandan philosophy that “we thrive through community.” Healing begins when we lean on one another.
Tools to Build Resilience
1. Talk: Confide in a teacher, friend, or counselor.
2. Small Wins: Break tasks into steps. Celebrate progress!
3. Breathe: Practice 4-4 breathing (inhale 4 secs, exhale 4 secs).
4. Fuel Your Body: Sleep, eat nourishing meals, move daily.
5. Community: Pray, join peer groups, or volunteer.
Closing: The Nile’s Lesson
I left students with a metaphor: “The Nile begins small but grows unstoppable. You, too, are flowing toward greatness. Keep going.”
Together, we rise.
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