Catechists during the basic counselling training at The University of Sacred Heart Gulu main hall. Photo by Proscovia Achomo

By Proscovia Achomo

Gulu City

A total 105 catechists drawn from the 35 parishes in Gulu and Kitgum vicariates have undergone a four-day training structured purposely to empower them with basic counselling skills to enable them be able to support the psychological and mental well-being of the Christians they serve during their pastoral ministry. 

Consolate Apiyo, a clinical psychologist and counsellor working with the University of the Sacred Heart Gulu attested that as an institute they are so passionate about mental health and well-being of the community that they serve given the university motto “Health of mind, heart and body”, and it is not by coincident that they are within the Archdiocese of Gulu and made the decision to support pastoral ministry through empowering the catechists who interface directly with the Christian community in their local areas  to support in mitigating the mental health challenges and psychological problems which are escalating within the community.

“What informed our decision is the passion, desire and the wealth to extend our arms to the university to reach out to the communities beyond our boundaries through the pastoral ministry given that the church is seen as the place of comfort, hope and refuge,” she remarked.

Catechist Doreen Oneka, from Holy Rosary Parish reveled that this training has given her the chance and basics to handle Christians who seek for counselling.
While catechists are not professional counselors, Doreen explains that they may encounter situations that require expert intervention, “counselling skills help us recognize when someone needs professional help and guide them toward appropriate resources without overstepping our role.”

Filda Adong, a catechist from St. peters and Paul Atede Parish said it is important for catechists to be trained because many parishioners are going through a lot of difficulties. “Catechists serve as trusted mentors within the faith community, having basic counseling skills allows us to build deeper, more empathetic relationships with those we teach, making us more approachable and trustworthy, she said.”

Some catechists with the vice chancellor of The University of Scared Heart Gulu,
Rev Fr Jino Mwaka Infront of the university chapel. Photo by Proscovia Achomo.

Rev Fr Jino Mwaka, the vice chancellor of University of Sacred Heart Gulu said that catechists are agents of evangelization but also deal with Christians going through situations and that since catechists also go through stressful situations, this training will also help them to get the resilience and skills on how to get out of some situations.

He reechoes that many people seek the help of the catechists and the clergy when dealing with personal problem as an initial means of managing. “We know how people rely on the church to help them journey through difficult moments in life whether it is the loss of loved ones, disappointment in life, frustration, actions of others, sickness, and because the catechists are the face of the church, people come to them and it’s important we train them,” Rev Fr Jino believes.

Mungukweyo Augustine a catechist from Lacor Parish enlightens that catechists play a number of roles such as leadership, and part of their job is to provide pastoral counseling services to parishioners and members of the public and within this background, they must employ knowledge of the Bible and spirituality to help individuals overcome problems such as depression, marriage and family conflicts, drug and alcohol abuse.

Basic counseling refers to the foundational skills and techniques used to support individuals emotionally and mentally, without requiring formal training as a professional counselor.

According to ministry of health and Uganda counselling Association, 35% of people in Uganda face mental health challenges, one study found that almost 1 in 5 people in rural Northern Uganda had symptoms consistent with depression and the treatment gap is thought to be as high as 90% - that means, only 1 out of 10 are seeking and receiving the care and treatment they need.

In Uganda, the ratio of mental health care professionals to the population is low. There are just 6.4 psychiatric nurses, 0.09 psychiatrists, 0.2 psychiatric clinical officers, 0.1 psychologists, 0.01 social workers, and 0.01 occupational therapists per 100,000 people.