Children and women in Kotido district have been reported to be experiencing a mental health crisis and depression at unprecedented levels.

Leaders and the civil society are linking the situation to forced child marriages and cattle rustling.

Specioza Nawal Kifunga, the programs officer Strong Mind Kotido, says issues of child marriages against the will of the girl is among the common causes for depression.

Kifunga disclosed that the organisation has started conducting therapy sessions in a bid to mitigate the challenge affecting the people and this has changed many victims’ lives.

On the other hand, research shows that forcibly displaced people often experience additional distress both during the escape and after, while they adjust to an unfamiliar place, all leading to psychological harm from the traumatic events that drive people from their homes.

The research says the mental health situation of Palabek refugee settlement for Southern Sudan nationals in Lamwo district is a matter of grave concern that needs urgent attention.

According to Barnabas Langoya, the district education officer of Lamwo district, some learners and teachers in camps have been affected by mental health issues and this year alone they have received two suicidal cases in teachers and it is linked to financial and domestic issues.

Langoya noted that the situation has greatly impacted the academic performance of the district at PLE and UACE and he appealed to government to intervene by filling the gap of 400 teachers to avoid overworking the available teachers which increases their stress.

Recent estimates from the World Health Organisation show that over 300 million people around the world are depressed.