Mental illness is a topic no one wants to talk about.
At Twogere, we know that stigma and poverty are the key barriers to mental health care and support across communities in Uganda. Stigma comes with feelings of shame, hopelessness, isolation, and reluctance to ask for help or to get treatment when needed.
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Poverty increases the risk of mental health problems and can be both a causal factor and a consequence of mental ill health.
We work to break these barriers.
Stigma is more deadly than the illness itself.
It’s time to stop the stigma.
Across the world, mental illness has historically been a death sentence. Although effective treatment is available, the stigma surrounding the illness prevents millions of people (young and old) from accessing care. Stigma also cuts people off from once-thriving communities, leaving hundreds of thousands of men, women, girls and boys isolated, lonely, vulnerable, and devastated.
Underreporting and
Misdiagnosis
Stigma surrounding mental health often leads to underreporting of symptoms and reluctance to seek help, resulting in misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. According to the WHO, globally, less than half of those with mental health conditions receive treatment.
Economic Impact
Stigma contributes to economic burdens through decreased productivity and employment opportunities for individuals with mental health conditions. The WHO estimates that depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy over $1 trillion annually in lost productivity.
Social Exclusion and Discrimination
Stigma perpetuates social exclusion and discrimination against individuals with mental health conditions, impacting their relationships, housing, educational and work opportunities. Stigma contributes to the violation of human rights and increases the vulnerability of individuals with mental health conditions to abuse and exploitation.
We know from research that people affected by mental health conditions are among the least likely of any group in society with a long-term health condition or disability to find work, be in a steady long-term relationship, or be socially included in both family and community activities.
Together, we can change that.
Ending Stigma & Discrimination
Having a mental health problem is still viewed as a life sentence in Uganda and beyond. This remains a huge barrier preventing millions of young people from accessing mental health support when needed. They instead choose to suffer in silence. For those that are already affected, they are often discriminated and isolated by family and community members. Twogere exist to challenge these misconceptions and negative beliefs by educating people (especially young people) about mental health problems. We envision a future where every young person receives mental health support when needed, and those already affected live a dignified life without stigma.
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Community-led programming
Our integrated programs operate through the community. We believe that those we serve are the experts, and therefore we work with them at every stage to co-design community led mental health and wellbeing interventions.
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Strategic Scaling
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We are an organization with a growth mindset. We plan by 2028, our mental health & wellbeing programs will be live in 2,000 schools across Uganda. We plan to do this through strengthening the capacity of schools to advocate for, participate in, and influence mental health governance and delivery
