Uganda National Musicians Federation to hold mental health awareness forum

The event is titled Empowering Minds and will be held to mark Mental Health Month this May. It aims to increase awareness, foster understanding and offer support to those grappling with mental health challenges in Uganda’s music sector.

The UNMF says it hopes that by bringing music and mental health matters together, the forum will spark new attitudes that will break the silence surrounding mental health in the industry.

UNMF representative Martin Nkoyoyo says the event will highlight mental health issues such as depression and anxiety as well as drug and substance abuse, among others, and discuss how musicians can to tackle them.

“The demanding schedules, online harassment and the constant pressure to perform can contribute to a significant mental health burden on music artists,” Nkoyoyo, a musician going by the stage name Yoyo, said.

The event will be held in collaboration with Uganda's Ministry of Health and Life Back Foundation Uganda, a rehabilitation facility providing support to victims of substance abuse.

“The UNMF reached out to the Ministry of Health for their technical expertise, targeted interventions and support mechanisms to effectively address these challenges,” Nkoyoyo said.

Uganda’s assistant commissioner of mental health, Dr Hafsa Lukwata, lauded the initiative. “It's heart-warming to see everyday people like musicians taking mental health seriously,” she said. “Mental health struggles are universal. Musicians, politicians, media personalities, civil servants – we all grapple with them, but there is a huge stigma around speaking up. The conversation around mental health and addiction becomes even more critical when considering the role model status that many musicians hold. It’s commendable that they're stepping forward to speak about mental health. This message will undoubtedly have a significant impact on those who see them as idols.”

Life Back Foundation Uganda executive director Edward Ssempira said: “We are joining forces with the UNMF to raise public awareness about mental health and offer support to music artists struggling in silence. Life Back Foundation has already helped a number of artists, and we’re here for them. Any artist struggling, please don't suffer in silence, seek help.”

UNMF executive committee member Agaba Ezra said the federation had formed a mental health department to create a safe space for artists battling drug abuse. Ezra, a musician himself, has shared his struggles with mental illness in the past. “Mental health is a very real issue. The world, however, often lacks empathy and resorts to judgement. We, as music artists, need a place to heal together without fear of being ostracised, but we can’t do this alone,” he said