Strengthening Community-Centered Mental Health and Psycho-social Support Systems for Refugee and Host Communities in Uganda

The project strengthens the role of Ugandan higher education institutions in supporting refugees and host communities in the areas of mental health and psychosocial wellbeing. It does so in partnership with Flemish universities and universities of applied sciences.

At the heart of the project is a Living Lab approach, bringing together higher education institutions, local communities, civil society organisations and policymakers. Through participatory research and co-creation, they combine local needs, existing knowledge and practices. Based on this, they will develop, among other things, a short course on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS).

The project focuses strongly on solutions that respond to the local context and on strengthening the knowledge and expertise already present within communities. In this way, it contributes to sustainable and accessible psychosocial support for both refugees and host communities.

At the same time, the project strengthens the capacity of higher education institutions to take an active role in policy and collaboration around refugee response, mental health and wellbeing. In doing so, it aims to contribute to more inclusive and locally grounded health and support systems.