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THRIVE
Børn & unge Sundhed Uganda

Transformation af HIV og mental sundhed Resiliens gennem Innovation og Empowerment

Partner: Mildmay, Uganda (https://mildmay.or.ug). Mildmay har stor erfaring med behandling af HIV i Uganda.

Projektet, der løber over 18 måneder med start 01.10.2024, er finansieret af en bevilling på 0,5 mio. kr. fra CISU.

Psykiske sygdomme som angst og depression er udbredt blandt unge og unge i Uganda, især blandt dem, der lever med HIV. Denne sårbare gruppe støder på adskillige udfordringer, der påvirker deres overholdelse af behandling og generelle sundhedsresultater, hvor psykiske lidelser og utilstrækkelig psykosocial støtte er væsentlige faktorer. Det er afgørende at løse disse problemer for at forbedre deres livskvalitet og behandlingseffektivitet.

Med THRIVE-projektet ønsker vi at styrke behandlingen af psykiske sygdomme i Uganda. Projektet vil gøre dette i samarbejde med lokale organisationer og lokale og nationale beslutningstagere ved at:

  1.  Forbedring af det mentale velbefindende hos HIV + unge 15-24 år med depression og angstlidelser i Makindye-Sabagabo Sub County, Wakiso-distriktet inden for 18 måneder.
  2. Styrkelse af målgruppens og deres husstandes socioøkonomiske status.
  3. Gennemførelse af en gap-analyse i samråd med Sundhedsministeriet for at understøtte processen med langsigtet forbedring af de nationale retningslinjer for behandling af psykiske lidelser.

Projektet vil bidrage til følgende verdensmål: Mål 1 (fattigdom): Forbedring af den socioøkonomiske status for psykisk syge unge og deres familier; Mål 3 (sundhed): Forbedring af den mentale sundhed hos unge med hiv+; Mål 4 (uddannelse): Støtte til forbedring af nationale retningslinjer for behandling af psykisk syge; Mål 17 (partnerskab for handling): Opbygge kapacitet til at behandle psykisk sygdom gennem partnerskaber med civilsamfundsorganisationer og eksperter samt for lokale og nationale ledere. De forventede resultater omfatter reduceret depression og angst blandt de unge, forbedret socioøkonomisk modstandsdygtighed og øget bevidsthed om psykiske lidelser.

De resultater, der opnås i løbet af projektet, kan danne grundlag for et nyt projekt, der kan hjælpe flere patienter, give yderligere input til nationale retningslinjer for mental sundhed og yderligere styrke civilsamfundsorganisationernes kapacitet til at håndtere psykiske sygdomme.

Opdatering 01.09.2025.

THRIVE projektet har nu været i gang i 11 måneder. Der har været igangsat og gennemført mange aktiviteter.

  1. 100 HIV-positive unge (15-24 år) med mentale sygdomme (primært angst og depressioner) er identificeret og inkluderet i programmet. Ca 60% heraf er kvinder. De unges mentale sygdom og deres modstandsdygtighed er blevet registret. Oprindeligt var det planen at inkludere 50 unge, så det er særdeles positivt, at projektet har været i stand til at række ud til 100 unge.
  2. Hos Mildmay, er der uddannet 10 ansatte, der kan varetage gruppe-psyko-terapi. Gruppeterapien er udviklet af SEEK GSP (Social, Emotional and Economic empowerment through Knowledge and Group Support Psychotherapy), der er en godkendt NGO i Uganda, men som også arbejder i andre lande i Afrika. Terapien vil kunne styrke de unges sociale interaktioner, forbedre deres muligheder på arbejdsmarkedet og behandle deres mentale sygdomme. De 10 uddannede ansatte vil fremover indgå i Mildmays behandler team. SEEK GSP er valgt som erstatning for organisationen StrongMinds, da denne organisation pludseligt krævede en væsentlig øget betaling.
  3. De unge er inddelt i grupper efter køn og alder med 6-8 personer i hver gruppe. Hver gruppe skal gennemgå 8 GSP-sessioner. Indtil nu har 10 grupper gennemgået alle sessioner. Grupperne har hver valgt et erhverv, de gerne vil sigte imod. Det er jobs, der kræver minimal uddannelse og lille startkapital. Det kan være hårfletning for piger og fremstilling af snacks for drenge. Enkelte grupper er allerede startet på deres erhverv.
  4. De unges og deres familiers baggrund er blevet grundigt analyseret. Det inkluderer analyse af familiernes økonomi, deres skoleuddannelse, og deres kostvaner. Dette er en vigtig del af arbejdet med at forstå og forbedre de unges muligheder. Familierne vil modtage rådgivning for bedre at forstå sammenhængen mellem HIV og mentale problemer, for på den måde at styrke de unges muligheder.
  5. Mildmay har udarbejdet en analyse af behandlingsmulighederne for HIV-positive unge med mentale sygdomme. Den venter en intern godkendelse inden den skal fremlægges for de nationale sundhedsmyndigheder. Der er i dag ingen nationale retningslinjer for behandling af disse unge. Mildmay vil med denne indsats øge opmærksomheden om sygdommen og forbedre behandlingen.

Samlet er der god fremgang i projektet og det forventes, at Mildmay når de opstillede mål. Resultater vil danne basis for en ny projektansøgning.

Mildmay har i en periode i starten af 2025 været udfordret af USA’s midlertidige stop for nødhjælp via PEPFAR. Bevillingerne fra PEPFAR er blevet fortsat og Mildmay kan fortsætte.

Transforming HIV and mental health Resilience through Innovation and Empowerment.

Project manager: John Bondo Hansen – Section East

Partner: Mildmay, Uganda (https://mildmay.or.ug). Mildmay has extensive experience in the treatment of HIV in Uganda.

The project, which runs over 18 months starting 01.10.2024, is financed by a grant of DKK 0.5 million from CISU.

Mental illnesses like anxiety and depression are prevalent among adolescents and young people in Uganda, particularly among those living with HIV. This vulnerable group encounters numerous challenges that impact their adherence to treatment and overall health outcomes, with mental health disorders and inadequate psychosocial support being significant factors. Addressing these issues is crucial for improving their quality of life and treatment effectiveness.

With the THRIVE project, we want to strengthen the treatment of mental illnesses in Uganda. The project will do this in collaboration with local organizations and local and national decision-makers by:

1) Improving the mental well-being of HIV + youth 15-24 years with depression and anxiety disorders in Makindye-Sabagabo Sub County, Wakiso district within 18 months.

(2) Strengthening the social economic status of target group and their households.

3) Carrying out a gap analysis in consultation with the Ministry of Health, to support the process of long-term improvement of the national guidelines for the treatment of mental disorders.

The project will contribute to the following SDGs: Goal 1 (poverty): Improving the socio-economic status of HIV+ mentally ill young people and their families; Goal 3 (health): Improving the mental health of HIV+ youth; Goal 4 (education): Support for the improvement of national guidelines for the treatment of the mentally ill; Goal 17 (partnership for Action): Build capacity to treat mental illness through partnerships with civil society organizations and experts, as well as for local and national leaders.

The expected outcomes include reduced depression and anxiety among the youth, improved socioeconomic resilience, and increased awareness about mental health disorders.

The results obtained during the project could form the basis for a new project that can help more patients, provide further input to national mental health guidelines and further strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations to address mental illnesses.

Update 01.09.2025.

The THRIVE project has now been running for 11 months. Many activities have been initiated and carried out.

  1. 100 HIV-positive adolescents (15-24 years) with mental illnesses (primarily anxiety and depression) have been identified and included in the program. About 60% of these are women. The mental illness of young people and their resilience have been registered. Originally, the plan was to include 50 young people, so it is very positive that the project has been able to reach out to 100 young people.
  2. At Mildmay, 10 employees have been trained who can handle group psychotherapy. The group therapy has been developed by SEEK GSP (Social, Emotional and Economic empowerment through Knowledge and Group Support Psychotherapy), which is an approved NGO in Uganda, but which also works in other countries in Africa. The therapy will be able to strengthen the young people’s social interactions, improve their opportunities in the labour market and treat their mental illnesses. The 10 trained employees will be part of Mildmay’s treatment team in the future. SEEK GSP has been chosen as a replacement for the organization StrongMinds, as this organization suddenly demanded a significantly increased payment.
  3. The young people are divided into groups according to gender and age, with 6-8 people in each group. Each group must go through 8 GSP sessions. So far, 10 groups have gone through all sessions. The groups have each chosen a profession they would like to aim for. These are jobs that require minimal education and little start-up capital. It can be hair braiding for girls and making snacks for boys. A few groups have already started their professions.
  4. The background of the young people and their families has been thoroughly analyzed. It includes analyzing the families’ finances, their school education, and their dietary habits. This is an important part of the work to understand and improve the opportunities for young people. Families will receive counselling to better understand the link between HIV and mental health problems, in order to strengthen young people’s opportunities.
  5. Mildmay has prepared an analysis of the treatment options for HIV-positive young people with mental illnesses. It is awaiting internal approval before it is presented to the national health authorities. There are currently no national guidelines for the treatment of these young people. With this effort, Mildmay will raise awareness of the disease and improve treatment.

Overall, there is good progress in the project, and it is expected that Mildmay will achieve the set goals. Results will form the basis for a new project application.

Mildmay has been challenged for a period in early 2025 by the United States’ temporary halt to emergency aid via PEPFAR. The grants from PEPFAR have been continued and Mildmay can continue.