Mental Health Training for Teachers

Teachers are the first responders in the mental health landscape of schools—often noticing early signs of distress before anyone else does. Yet many lack the knowledge, confidence, and tools to respond effectively. At Twogere, we are changing that.

Since 2022, we have trained 1,500 teachers across Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono districts in adolescent mental health literacy and psychosocial support. This intensive training covers key topics including:

• Recognizing signs of emotional distress and trauma

• Responding with empathy and appropriate referral

• Non-punitive discipline and safe classroom practices

• Self-care and burnout prevention for educators

Delivered through in-person workshops, the sessions are co-facilitated by mental health professionals and people with lived experience, ensuring both technical depth and human-centered understanding.

Post-training evaluations show:

• 92% of teachers reported increased confidence in supporting learners facing mental health challenges.

• 68% had already applied new techniques to manage classroom stress and support vulnerable students within the first month.

• 5 schools have now included mental health training as part of their teacher continuing professional development (CPD) agenda.

More importantly, teachers are shifting from punishment to presence, from discipline to dialogue. They are becoming safe adults in unsafe systems.

The goal is not just awareness, but sustainable systems change. We are working with local education departments to embed this training into pre-service teacher education and district CPD frameworks. Plans are also underway to train 200 more teachers in Eastern Uganda in Q4.

Equipping teachers with mental health skills is no longer optional—it is foundational. When teachers are trained, students are safer, classrooms are healthier, and the education system becomes more human. Twogere is proud to stand at the forefront of this transformation.

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Twogere is a youth-led organization dedicated to reducing the mental health treatment gap among young people in Uganda through innovative, community-driven approaches.