Have you ever taken a moment to ask yourself why suicide incidents are escalating in schools? Well, following several incidents of suicide in schools in Uganda, a UK-based psychiatrist is calling for urgent mental health reforms to address the crisis.
Dr Justine Nakimuli Kigozi Odong, a psychiatry consultant with two decades of experience, made the remarks at the conclusion of a mock African Union (AU) summit debate in Uganda.
The event, held at St Joseph Naggalama Secondary School in Mukono District, brought together students from ten schools to examine the increasing cases of suicide and mental health struggles among learners across the continent.
The debate comes amid rising concerns over student suicides in Uganda, with several recent cases highlighting the scale of the crisis.
In February, Alvin Ssekandi, a 19-year-old senior six student, drowned himself after reportedly performing poorly in the 2024 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) exams.
Similarly, 18-year-old Atwine Alvin, a senior four student at Ntare School, died after ingesting rat poison, allegedly in protest against being forced to bathe.
Last month, Maria Ndagire, a senior three student at Mpoma School in Mukono District, set herself on fire after her parents refused to transfer her to a school of her choice.
Another student, Elshama Ssessaazi from Seeta High School, was found hanging in a dormitory, though the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear.
Dr Nakimuli warned that the rise in such cases reflects a broader global crisis, with the World Health Organization (WHO) having previously identified mental illness as the next pandemic following COVID-19.
She argued that today’s youth are growing up in a unique digital era, with exposure to both the benefits and risks of electronic devices.
“Children today have little resilience and lack problem-solving skills,” she noted. In the past, she added, they wrote letters to their parents and it took days to reach them.
“Now, students expect immediate responses to their needs. When their expectations are unmet, some resort to drastic measures,” Nakimuli explained.
The psychiatrist also pointed to factors such as poor parenting styles, genetic predispositions, and bullying as contributors to mental health struggles. She called for urgent intervention, particularly in the education sector.
Calls for Action
The deputy headmaster of St Joseph’s Naggalama, Vinasio Amone, attributed rising school suicides to the increasing influence of Western-style children’s rights, which, he argued, were being misunderstood by Ugandan students.
He also cited the influence of social media platforms such as TikTok, saying they were introducing problematic narratives.
Amone called on the government to strengthen school counselling services by allocating funds to the initiative, particularly in government schools, where he noted that mental health issues were more pronounced.
During the mock AU summit, student representatives from 13 African nations shared insights into mental health challenges in their respective countries.
Tanzanian Prime Minister Mwesigwa Pearl Eliana from Midland High School emphasised the need for urgent reforms in the education sector, quoting Nelson Mandela’s assertion that “education is the most powerful weapon for changing the world.”
Zambian President Amongin Emmanuella from St Mary’s College Lugazi highlighted the socio-economic challenges in her country, including high poverty levels and the impact of HIV/AIDS.
She suggested scholarships as a way to improve access to education and mental health support.
Ugandan President Nakato Michella Veronica from Seeta High School Green Campus acknowledged the increasing prevalence of mental health struggles among students, citing academic and social pressures as key triggers.
She called for research into school-based interventions to identify and support struggling students before they reach a crisis point.
Meanwhile, South African President Primer Elizabeth from St Joseph’s Girls Secondary School Nsambya pointed to the lingering effects of apartheid, which she said had left African schools under-resourced compared to historically white institutions.
She also noted that corruption continued to hinder progress, with 55% of South Africans living in poverty, making education less accessible.
The Somali representative, Zuhra Ahmed from St Noah Mawaggali Secondary School, spoke of the challenges faced by students in conflict-ridden regions.
She highlighted how militant groups such as Al Shabaab continue to kidnap children and force them into combat, depriving them of education.
Continental Collaboration
The debate, presided over by AU Summit Chairman Ojok Daniel from St Joseph’s Naggalama and WHO General Secretary Kaneene Prince Gershom from Seeta High School, stresses the need for a collaborative approach to tackling student mental health crises across Africa.
Students urged governments to prioritise mental health funding, introduce resilience-building programmes, and implement stricter policies to combat bullying.
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