By Marcus Okeny
In Kampala, conversations about mental health are becoming more open, yet stigma remains strong. As a journalism student, the way you choose to report these stories can either reinforce harmful stereotypes or help shift public attitudes. Local media still sometimes frame mental illness through crime, witchcraft, or personal failure. Sensational headlines about “mad people” or detailed descriptions of suicide methods appear too often and can cause real harm.
Responsible reporting requires deliberate choices. Instead of focusing only on crisis, students can highlight recovery stories from local communities, such as Makerere, Ntinda, or Namuwongo. Using respectful language, such as “died by suicide” rather than “committed suicide,” and avoiding graphic details follows international best practices while remaining culturally sensitive.
When reporting, including contacts for local support services, such as those offered by Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital or community organisations, can turn a story into a potential lifeline.
Uganda’s context adds unique challenges. Limited mental health professionals, strong religious and traditional beliefs, and economic pressures shape how people understand distress. And a journalism student who takes time to understand these layers produces more accurate and compassionate work.
Interviewing people with lived experience, consulting local experts, and resisting the urge to simplify complex realities are essential skills.
The stories told in Kampala’s newsrooms influence how families talk about depression, anxiety, and trauma. Journalism students who learn to report mental health with care are not only protecting their audiences; they are helping build a more informed and supportive society.
The writer, Marcus Okeny, is a final-year Media Studies student at Kampala International University.
