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Mental Health Awareness Month: A List Of Numbers To Call

Mental Health Awareness Month: A List Of Numbers To Call

“Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.” ― Thomas Keneally, Free Telephone Hotlines in Uganda Mental Health, Suicide, Crisis Mental Health Uganda 0800 21 21 21 Mental Health Uganda (MHU) is an indigenous, NGO assisting people with and survivors of mental Illness. Professional Psychometric (256) 774997364 Professional Psychometric and Psychological Services (PPPS) is a mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) organization that specializes in providing clinical and protection services inclusive of educational and, rehabilitative services KCCA Ambulances (0-800) 111044 This is a 24-hour hotline for all medical emergencies Uganda Police Emergency 999112 This is a 24-hour hotline for all…
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When Mothers Day Looks Different…

When Mothers Day Looks Different…

Moms are special. On this day, we pause to think about one of the great gifts we have received from God, our moms. This is the person who brought us into the world. But for many, Mother’s Day no longer means the same thing it once did. Feelings of gratitude have turned to grief. Celebration is replaced with isolation. For those who’ve lost a mother, today is difficult. We see you. We stand with you. If you have a friend who has suffered the loss of their own beloved mom, don’t forget about them today. A simple text saying, “I’m…
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Dear Self, Science and God.

Dear Self, Science and God.

Dear Self, Looking back on my life, science was what defined me. It was at the very core of what I did, how I thought, how I viewed the world and what I believed. I was raised in a religious household. Both my parents ministered in the church and most weekly evenings found us gathered at a friend’s home, praising and worshipping. I had a very strict religious upbringing but by the time I reached University, I was an atheist, believing in nothing and no one. I saw the universe without God; God was not needed in my understanding. I…
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Dear Self, You Can Overcome Self Hatred.

Dear Self, You Can Overcome Self Hatred.

Dear Self, A letter as I walk down memory lane.   Before I grew up in a family of strong believers; my parents did not just talk the talk, they walked the walk. Church became my second home. Everyone encouraged each other and uplifted each other. Home was my safety net. Church was my comfort zone. But whenever I stepped out of those two settings; I did not feel at home. In fact I did not feel safe… with my self. I did not feel at home in my own skin.   I was obese, over weight. When I was…
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Adversity Advances Us: by the gifted Ronny Ross.

Adversity Advances Us: by the gifted Ronny Ross.

Adversity advances us. It’s a profound statement but hard to comprehend in the moment of adversity. It’s true though, but only if we choose to learn from it. At the moment washing hands seems to be the simplest solution to our biggest problem. Just like the rudder controls the ship, the biggest problems sometimes have the simplest solutions. I won’t dwell on the pain we’re facing at the moment for it’s plain to see. From the land that draws people from far and wide to admire the history, the art, to get a glimpse into the great mind that was…
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Dear Self, Beware Of Deadly Friends.

Dear Self, Beware Of Deadly Friends.

Dear Self, It’s me, the older version of you. I think it’s time for an honest real talk. This letter isn’t about judging, shaming or blaming you. You do too much of that, already. No, this is different. This letter is about caution. At a very young age, you will make some friends, some dangerous, bad friends. Their names are drugs and alcohol.   Because of these friends, your life will be become a rollercoaster of bars, vomit, tears and sex. There are nights you will curl up in a little ball of bone and skin because your lifestyle will…
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Dear Self…You will find your light.

Dear Self…You will find your light.

Dear Self, This world we live in is not a walk on the red carpet. It isn’t always roses and sunshine but as dark as it gets sometimes, you will make a way. Despite that darkness you will find the path that gets you to your place of light. Be careful with who you surround yourself with. People are funny. People are superficial. Learn to rely on yourself. Listen to your gut, trust your instincts. But above all, put God first. With him, nothing ever fails. There is no greater power in quitting. The process may be slow but quitting…
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The Youth Have Spoken.

The Youth Have Spoken.

Listen up. It’s international Youth Day and Young Ugandan leaders have a few things to say to their fellow youth: "Uganda holds the 17th position globally for deaths caused by suicide. Let that sink in for a moment. We have so many counselors in different institutions, hospitals and churches but that number keeps going up. Keep that in mind… then figure out how you can help…” Wafula Victoria, Member Of The African Children’s Choir. To the heroes of tomorrow, to the energies that will define the future, the future of a nation depends upon the youth of the country. Best…
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You Are Not Alone; Letters To Our Younger Selves…

You Are Not Alone; Letters To Our Younger Selves…

You are not alone. You are not the only one who feels this way– not by a long shot. Everyone feels insecure or scared or worried or like they’re not enough at some point. We all just hide it from everyone else. It’s okay to feel that way. Talk about it with someone else or with yourself through a letter.  It’s the first step to feeling better. We all have times in our past which are memorable for being painful and difficult (UNLESS YOU'VE LIVED UNDER A ROCK.) But what if you could go back in time and show that…
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Dear Self, LOVE YOURSELF… FIERCELY!

Dear Self, LOVE YOURSELF… FIERCELY!

Dear Self, LOVE YOURSELF... FIERCELY! This topic gets me really emotional and has been the centre of most of my bad decisions, narrow perspective and wrong moves growing up. For some reason I thought outside validation meant easy self-acceptance. That if society approves of you then you, my sister are on the right track to loving yourself the right way. I was wrong! Slow Down…Just A Bit? There were some tough moments in high school and university - not only was I fighting for my grades but there is a whole battle within where I was at war to keep…
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