Byamungu Namudindi, a dedicated duty bearer at the Tongogara Refugee Settlement, shared his transformative journey through REPSSI’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Humanitarian Settings project. When the project began, the community was grappling with an increase in mental health issues, leaving many feeling hopeless and some tragically taking their own lives. Byamungu recalled the intense emotional toll of displacement: “Fleeing our home country and enduring the horrors along the way left us all with severe pain and stress. Isolation, depression, anxiety, and trauma became rampant.”

Byamungu was selected for MHPSS training, which he described as life-changing. The training not only equipped him to support the children and youth but also provided tools to address his own mental health needs. “It taught us that we also need care and support to be effective helpers,” he shared.

Following his training, he began conducting regular mental health sessions for children, noting a significant shift: “The children now look forward to these sessions. They help them reflect, build resilience, and focus on their future.” He integrated his training into his role as a pastor, proudly identifying himself as a “mental health champion” within his community.