Prioritising mental health in conflict zones
Interview with Mukasa Moses Bwesige
In conflict zones worldwide, individuals face daily mental health challenges. Mukasa Moses Bwesige understands these challenges and their profound impact on the communities he serves. His story, rooted in his personal experiences and driven professional dedication, offers valuable insights.
Growing up amidst conflict and displacement, Moses’ personal experiences shaped his dedication to mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). Raised by a single mother and witnessing the impacts of the Rwandan genocide, he understands the profound effects of psychotrauma on individuals and communities.
Moses: ”Growing up in the slums of Kampala is not that different from growing up in a setting of forced displacement. You experience similar deprivation, vulnerability to mental health issues and frequent violations of human rights. This was one of the reasons I chose MHPSS as a field of work.”
The importance of accessible mental health services
As he reflects on his work, Moses underscores the immense challenges faced by refugees and internally displaced individuals, including high rates of suicide and psychosocial distress: “As the lead officer in a refugee settlement in northern Uganda during 2019/2020, I witnessed 46 suicides and numerous suicide attempts. To me, a clear indicator of the urgent need for psychosocial support and accessible mental health services among refugees.”
“The people we serve are the experts of the experience.”
Focus on contextually tailored approaches and professional ethics
Moses stresses the importance of investing in culturally appropriate, scalable interventions implemented by those affected. However, to avoid exacerbating existing challenges, he also emphasises the importance of maintaining professional ethics in MHPSS practices. “I’m concerned that these scalable interventions do not address complex mental health issues. We need to be careful with interventions that are likely to cause more harm or create a bigger mental health burden in the future. We need mechanisms to safeguard this.”
In conclusion, Moses’ insights underscore the resilience of individuals affected by conflict and the vital role of MHPSS in rebuilding lives and communities. As we navigate the complexities of conflict zones, his words urge us to prioritise mental health as a fundamental aspect of humanitarian aid and global solidarity.
In 2023, ARQ organised an international conference commemorating 50 years of knowledge sharing on psychotrauma. MHPSS expert Mukasa Moses Bsewige was among four panellists invited by ARQ International to share his perspective on psychotrauma in conflict settings. Mukasa Moses Bwesige works with the Jesuit Refugee Services as the Inter-Regional MHPSS Officer for Eastern and Southern African regions. He is also a joint PhD Suicide Researcher at Gent University Belgium and the School of Psychology at Makerere University Uganda.