Mbale City, Uganda: The Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) has trained more than 130 teachers and branch leaders from Eastern Uganda in mental health and psychosocial support amid growing concerns over stress, burnout and wellbeing challenges affecting educators.
The training, held at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Mbale City on Thursday, brought together 132 participants from primary, secondary and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions across the region.
The programme aimed at strengthening teachers’ capacity to identify mental health challenges, support colleagues and learners, and promote wellbeing within school communities.
Speaking during the training, UNATU General Secretary, who is also the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Master Trainer, Mr Filbert Baguma Bates, described mental health as one of the most overlooked aspects of overall health.
He said mental well-being influences how people think, feel, behave and cope with everyday demands, adding that seeking support should never be viewed as a sign of weakness.
“Mental health affects every aspect of our lives. Teachers need to understand that caring for their mental well-being is just as important as caring for their physical health,” Baguma said.
He revealed that UNATU lost 535 members between January and December 2025, including 412 male teachers, a statistic he said underscores the need to pay greater attention to teachers’ health and well-being.
The General Secretary encouraged teachers to practise self-care, avoid unnecessary financial pressure and make decisions that support their long-term wellbeing.
During the training, participants discussed common signs of stress among teachers, including headaches, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, sleep disorders and changes in appetite.
Teachers were also introduced to the W.A.T.C.H approach, a framework used to identify early warning signs of emotional distress, including withdrawal, anxiety, troubled behaviour, mood changes and feelings of hopelessness.
Baguma urged participants to pay attention to colleagues and learners who may be struggling silently and to respond with compassion and support.
He emphasized that psychosocial support begins with listening without judgement, offering reassurance and linking affected individuals to appropriate support systems.
Earlier, Eastern Regional Coordinator David Muhanguzi thanked participants for attending the training and urged them to actively engage in discussions aimed at improving teacher wellbeing.
Eastern Regional Chairperson Samuel Barassa described the large turnout as evidence of teachers’ commitment to both their profession and the union.
He noted that stress has become increasingly common among teachers and called on participants to become ambassadors of mental health awareness in their respective schools and branches.
“Teachers should not keep this knowledge to themselves. They should return to their schools and share what they have learned with fellow educators,” Barassa said.
Beyond mental health, participants received updates on the National Teachers Bill, the Contributory Pension Scheme, recent Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax changes and opportunities under the EQUIP Digital Skills Training Programme 2026.
UNATU officials reaffirmed the union’s commitment to keeping teachers informed about policy changes affecting the profession.
Speaking during the closing session, National Secretary for Education, Professional Standards and Discipline, Chelimo Kityo, commended teachers for their active participation and encouraged them to continue promoting the union’s programmes and activities.
He said supporting teachers should go beyond advocating for better salaries and working conditions, noting that mental wellbeing is equally important in building a productive education system.
Participants described the training as timely and relevant, saying it addressed challenges that many teachers face but often struggle to discuss openly.
The training concluded with a call for teachers to champion mental health awareness in schools and communities, with UNATU leaders emphasizing that healthier teachers are better positioned to support learners and improve education outcomes.
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