Election stress poses long term risks without mental health support, experts warn
Mental health experts have urged healthcare facilities, social workers, and crisis responders to adopt empathetic and proactive approaches to mental health during election periods.
They stress the importance of avoiding stigmatisation and providing support for individuals showing signs of distress.
At a regional conference on mental health and peace building held in Kampala, stakeholders from the Great Lakes Region emphasised the psychological toll of elections, which they described as times of heightened stress for candidates, families, and voters navigating charged political environments.
Dorah Byamukama, a senior consultant on gender-based violence and former Member of Parliament, highlighted the emotional burden elections impose.
"The emotional toll extends far beyond candidates, affecting families and voters caught in the tension of highly charged political environments," she said.
Experts warned that without mental health interventions, election-related stress could lead to long-term consequences for individuals and communities.
The conference, organised by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), also addressed the region’s broader mental health challenges.
Byamukama reflected on Uganda’s history of insecurity, recalling the psychological impact of living under the constant threat of gunfire, and called for integrating mental health support into peace building frameworks.
As part of its initiatives, the ICGLR launched a Training of Trainers workshop in Kampala to integrate Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) with peace building strategies to combat Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
Dr. Janviere Ndirahisha, ICGLR-RTF Regional Director, described the workshop as the first step in a regional effort to promote a holistic approach to SGBV prevention and response.
"This workshop aims to build an understanding of the relationship between MHPSS and peace building, identify challenges, co-create interventions, and develop an action plan for follow-up training," Dr. Ndirahisha explained.
Uganda is the first member state to benefit from this program, which is set to expand to other ICGLR countries, including Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Byamukama underscored how historical insecurities and the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbate mental health challenges in the region.
"Post-pandemic, counseling became essential to help individuals cope with financial and emotional stress," she said.
Experts at the conference called on policymakers to embed mental health strategies into national recovery and peace building frameworks.
