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The MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit recently convened a Stakeholder’s Breakfast Meeting, drawing experts, policymakers, and educators to explore innovative strategies for scaling mental health care in Uganda. Central to the discussions was the Tele-Support Psychotherapy (TSP) model—a technology-driven, cost-efficient approach designed to address the country’s growing mental health challenges.

Professor Moffat Nyirenda, Unit Director, emphasized the urgency of leveraging digital tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) and mobile phone-based interventions to bridge the gap between underserved communities, especially youth, and mental health professionals.

“Mental health challenges among young people are difficult to address, but if we don’t act now, they will escalate into a larger crisis—akin to the unpreparedness we faced with COVID-19,”  Prof. Nyirenda warned. “The TSP model represents a timely innovation that leverages modern technology to provide accessible and affordable solutions.”

A tech-driven model for bridging mental health gaps
The Tele-Support Psychotherapy (TSP) model, developed at Makerere University’s Department of Psychiatry under Associate Professor Etheldreda Nakimuli in collaboration with Dr. John Mark Bwanika of The Medical Concierge Group/Rocket Health Africa, was funded by USAID’s Development Innovation Ventures (Grant ID: 7200AA21FA00017) to address youth mental health needs in resource-limited settings.

Building on this foundation, the MRC/UVRI/LSHTM Uganda Research Unit has launched the ARISEE-TSP Project (Accessing Resources for Improving Support, Emotions, and Economic Empowerment through Tele-Support Psychotherapy). This initiative will enhance the TSP platform with AI technology and strengthen mental health capacity through continuous professional development in government health training institutions. It will focus on expanding access to emotional support and economic empowerment for vulnerable youth (15-35) in low-technology settings.

This innovative project will address barriers such as stigma, high costs, and limited access to mental health care. Enhanced by AI, the TSP model will utilize analogue mobile phone features that are accessible via any simple feature phone to deliver tailored mental health support, including features like real-time counsellor availability, multilingual capabilities, and data-driven insights to track patient progress.

Etheldreda Nakimuli, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and NCD Epidemiology at the MRC/UVRI/LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, highlighted the disproportionate challenges faced by rural communities where services are concentrated in urban centres. ”The high costs of care and limited availability of resources make mental health services unattainable for many,” she explained.

The TSP model addresses these gaps by integrating cultural elements such as storytelling and visualization techniques, ensuring interventions resonate with local communities. The model increases acceptance and effectiveness by aligning therapy with cultural practices, offering a scalable and sustainable solution for Uganda’s mental health needs.

Demonstrating impact and building resilience
A pilot randomised trial in Kampala revealed promising results, showing significant reductions in depression symptoms and improved psychosocial outcomes for participants. The model’s success lies in its dual-pronged approach: empowering lay counsellors and community health workers with foundational mental health skills while leveraging advanced technology.

This scalable strategy tackles Uganda’s shortage of mental health professionals, particularly in rural areas, and reduces reliance on urban-based services. Mental health capacity building through Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programs in health training institutions will ensure the sustainability of this workforce, laying the foundation for long-term impact.

A unified call to action
The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to reshape Uganda’s mental health landscape. Policymakers were urged to invest in mental health infrastructure and prioritise culturally sensitive and scalable solutions like the TSP model. Health training institutions were encouraged to integrate innovative mental health approaches into their curricula to build a resilient workforce. Researchers were called upon to prioritize culturally tailored scalable interventions that address the unique needs of local communities. Communities were also encouraged to lead efforts to reduce stigma and champion mental health awareness through advocacy and education.