The Scope of Mental Illness and Status of Psychiatric Care in Uganda

Abstract

Mental illness in Uganda affects over one-third of the population. Less than half of these individuals seek intervention because of the lack of mental health services, including providers of care, such as nurses; psychotropic medicines; psychosocial interventions; and psychotherapies. Stigma associated with mental illness also is a significant barrier to care. The purpose of this article is to describe the scope of mental illness and the status of psychiatric care in Uganda as well as to provide implications for mental health nursing.