A Healthy Mind
Uganda | A Healthy Mind - BMM | 2024
Hello!
We are BMM, a youth-led movement dedicated to breaking the silence on mental health. In 2024, we launched A Healthy Mind, a campaign to raise awareness, create safe spaces, and empower young people with the knowledge and support they need to manage stress, anxiety, and depression. Our mission? To foster a culture where youth feel comfortable discussing mental health, seeking help, and supporting one another in their well-being.
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18 to 35 years old
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The Right-Sized Problem
Mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression are widespread among youth in Uganda, yet stigma and lack of awareness prevent open discussions. Many young people turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as substance abuse, rather than seeking professional help. Without safe spaces, education, and support systems, mental health struggles continue unnoticed and untreated.
What did we do?
Through school outreach, community dialogues, media engagement, and creative advocacy, we normalized mental health conversations and empowered youth with coping strategies.
Offline Impact
🏫 School & Church Outreaches – Engaged 4,866 students and 1,156 community members, facilitating mental health discussions, self-care strategies, and referral support.
⚽ Football Match for Mental Health – Used sports to attract youth, integrating mental health awareness sessions into the event.
🏥 Health Facility Dialogues – Hosted mental health discussions at health centers, connecting young people to mental health professionals.
🗣️ Community Dialogues & Advocacy Meetings – Engaged local leaders, NGOs, and the Gombe Division Lower Local Government, advocating for mental health-friendly policies and more youth support services.
Online & Media Impact
📱 Social Media Awareness – Used Facebook, TikTok, and X (Twitter) to share educational content and campaign updates.
📻 Community Audio Towers (Local Radio) – Broadcast mental health awareness messages, reaching thousands in rural areas.
🎙️ Radio Talk Show on CBS Radio – Two BMM members participated in a radio discussion on mental health, broadening the conversation beyond their immediate community.
📢 Explore Our Campaign Content:
🔗 BMM on Facebook
Campaign Impact
6,022 young people reached through school and community events.
Thousands reached via local radio & social media awareness campaigns.
Youth openly discussing mental health in community dialogues.
Referral support provided for young people struggling with anxiety and depression.
Community adoption of slogans: "Ddala olyotya, twogeremu" ("How are you really? Let’s talk.") & "Tofanakyo, kyogereko" ("Don't keep it to yourself, speak up.").
One of the most powerful moments of the campaign came when a young girl anonymously shared her suicidal thoughts through the BMM Paper. Immediate intervention was taken, leading to counseling and parental support, and weeks later, she reported feeling hopeful again.
Another success story is Andrew Bulime, a former drug abuser who has transformed into a mental health advocate, now encouraging youth to use healthy coping mechanisms instead of substances.
What’s Next?
We are expanding our impact by:
📌 Training more youth as mental health peer educators.
📌 Strengthening partnerships with mental health professionals.
📌 Developing digital mental health resources for wider accessibility.
Follow our journey:
📍 Facebook: BMM Shift Group
