Launch of Uganda’s Community of Practice on Community-Based Solutions for Mental Health | StrongMinds
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Launch of Uganda’s Community of Practice on Community-Based Solutions for Mental Health

Advocacy, Uganda | December 16, 2024

On Thursday, December 5th, StrongMinds and its partners proudly launched the Community of Practice on Community-Based Solutions for Mental Health. This pioneering initiative brings together government agencies, civil society organizations, and academic institutions that tackle mental health challenges at the community level. As part of the USAID Mental Health Integration Activity, this initiative will support the ongoing integration of mental health into the work of the 16 partner organizations. The Community of Practice will serve as a continuous support system for the four cohorts of these 16 partners, helping them continuously learn about and integrate mental health into their work.

What is a Community of Practice?

A Community of Practice (CoP) is a group of individuals and organizations sharing a common passion or profession, coming together to collaborate, learn, and develop solutions to enhance their practice. In this case, the CoP focuses on advancing mental health solutions in Uganda by fostering collaboration across sectors, exchanging knowledge, and promoting best practices. 

Highlights of the Launch Event

The event brought together a diverse group of partners, including:

  • Representatives from government ministries, including the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Services, and the Parliament of Uganda, underscored the public sector’s commitment to advancing mental health. 
  • Academic representation from Makerere University to inform evidence-based solutions.
  • Civil Society Organizations such as MUCOBADI (working in HIV) and InPact (focused on maternal health and Indigenous communities) shared powerful testimonies on how integrating mental health into other sectors can lead to long-term, impactful solutions.
  • Leading organizations, including the Uganda National Teachers Union, Uganda National NGO Forum, TPO Uganda, Action Against Hunger, KOMO Learning Centres, Awesome Mind Speaks, and others committed to strengthening collaboration and driving change in mental health.
  • USAID Implementing partners, including the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Northwest Activity, OVC NorthEast Activity, and OVC Kampala Activity. 

Thematic Working Groups: A Roadmap for Action

The CoP has established several thematic working groups to drive focused action:

  • Research & Innovation: Advancing evidence-based approaches and exploring new interventions.
  • Cross-Sectoral Integration: Ensuring mental health is seamlessly integrated into other sectors, such as education and healthcare.
  • Policy & Advocacy: Influencing policy to create an enabling environment for mental health programs.
  • Emergency Response: Addressing mental health needs in crises and emergencies.
  • Ethics, Quality Assessment & Assurance: Upholding the highest standards for interventions to ensure meaningful and sustainable community impact.

The launch of this Community of Practice marks a transformational step forward in the fight to democratize the provision of community-based mental health solutions for mental health. It is an opportunity to pool our collective expertise, resources, and passion, enabling us to craft stronger, more unified solutions to mental health challenges facing Uganda’s communities.