Speaker Jacob Oboth-Oboth has attributed the low priority given to mental health to persistent stigma, saying many people are still reluctant to openly discuss mental health challenges or seek help.
Closing the Fourth Mental Health Awareness Camp at Parliament, Oboth-Oboth said mental health should be treated like other health conditions such as malaria and tuberculosis, arguing that eliminating stigma would encourage greater public attention and investment in the sector.
He commended the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Mental Health for organising the two-day awareness camp, saying it had provided a platform to share evidence, lived experiences and develop resolutions to guide future action.
Oboth-Oboth also pledged to champion mental health discussions in Parliament and work with legislators to ensure government gives the issue greater priority before officially declaring the Fourth Mental Health Awareness Camp closed.