Mental Health Push Ahead of World Mental Health Day

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – The County Health Director for Yei River County, Simon Sebit Musoga, has called for increased support and investment in mental health services ahead of this year’s World Mental Health Day commemoration on October 10.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Yei on Thursday, Musoga said many people continue to suffer from mental health conditions while health facilities face shortages of essential medicines and resources. He urged humanitarian organizations implementing mental health and psychosocial support programmes to ensure funding allocated to the sector is not diverted to other activities.

Musoga noted that Yei’s mental health clinic, established in 2022, has remained operational with support from Malteser International and the government, but requires additional partners to strengthen service delivery. He said counselling alone is not enough and called for more support to provide medicines and other essential care.

The health official also appealed for the revival of regular mental health coordination meetings to help partners identify challenges, mobilize resources, and plan interventions together. He further encouraged organizations to participate in preparations for World Mental Health Day, stressing that support for mental health should continue throughout the year and not be limited to annual celebrations.