Since January 2011, the International NGO Centre
for Children in Vulnerable Situations (CCVS)-Uganda has been promoting the psychological well-being of children, youth, adults and their communities living in post-war Northern Uganda and, more
specifically, in Lira district.
The effects of twenty years of armed conflict in Northern
Uganda on individuals, families and communities are still continuing to this day. These
effects become evident in the number of physically and mentally affected people
in Northern Uganda, who were victims of indiscriminate attacks against
civilians. Additionally, the breakdown of
communities and social networks as a result of (internal) displacement and the high poverty rate in
Northern Uganda cause increased psychological stress in individuals, families
and communities, resulting in a high prevalence of all kinds of mental health
problems, alcohol abuse, domestic violence and family breakdowns. Despite these
high rates of psychological stress and mental health problems, there is a
serious lack of psychological support services, amongst other reasons, because of a
lack of qualified counsellors and psychotherapists to support individuals,
families and communities to deal with these challenges.
This project aims at further
increasing the local capacity regarding mental health services in Northern Uganda on the longer term. Hereby, both in the shorter and
longer term, the psychological wellbeing of children, youth and adults will be
improved, both directly and indirectly. Directly through the alleviation of mental
health problems in clients (with increased capacities of community, governmental and
non-governmental stakeholders), but also indirectly through addressing the
strengths in social networks and communities to support individuals' mental health and wellbeing, which then will significantly strengthen the social fabric of communities in Northern Uganda.
Currently, CCVS-Uganda has been extending its services to different communities, schools, Health Centres, the mental health unit of Lira Regional Referral Hospital and Lira Main Prisons. Divergent working methods are used such as mental health sensitisation and psychoeduction, individual, couple, family and group counselling, support groups, community dialogues, community therapy and play therapy. Also, CCVS-Uganda is involved in research and training of community, governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, and cooperates on the radio programme "Healing Our Wounds" (Radio Wa).
Currently, CCVS-Uganda has been extending its services to different communities, schools, Health Centres, the mental health unit of Lira Regional Referral Hospital and Lira Main Prisons. Divergent working methods are used such as mental health sensitisation and psychoeduction, individual, couple, family and group counselling, support groups, community dialogues, community therapy and play therapy. Also, CCVS-Uganda is involved in research and training of community, governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, and cooperates on the radio programme "Healing Our Wounds" (Radio Wa).
The driven CCVS-Uganda team consists of
the following members: Eunice Acen and Elsy Apoko (Project Officers),
Faith Mulungi and Ketty Lanyero (Clinical Team Leaders), Jennifer Atenga, Denis Eyalu, Rebecca Rachel Akadu, Harriet Awor, Sheila Ochan Apio, Joseph Okidi, Margaret Akado, Laura Achan, Daniel Comboni Ocen, Richard Jamacol Oketcho, Vicky Stella Apio, Oliver Apunyu, Rebecca Aiyo, Smith Oloya and Williams Lony
(Psychological Counsellors),
Augustine Okwir (Driver),
Milly Akullo (Office Attendant),
Nicholas Ocen and Quinto Okello (Guards), and
Leen De Nutte (Executive Director).
Supporting their activities:
Kizito Wamala (Clinical Advisor),
Ilse Derluyn (Head of the Board),
Lieve Milissen, Kurt Lievens, Sofie Vindevogel, An Verelst and Lucia De Haene (Board members), and
CCVS vzw (Parent organisation).
We are currently receiving funding from
Trust Fund for Victims (ICC) and Provincie West-Vlaanderen.
CCVS-Uganda is taking on national and international interns. For more information, please refer to the document attached.