When the rescued suffer posttraumatic stress disorder and depression

Unlike those who have been rescued from captivity, taken through rehabilitation and started to live better lives, it is different for Okwera Akuk. He is battling a mental disorder.

A look at Akuk can easily show that he is not well. He was rescued in October this year by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces from the Lord Resistance Army in Central African Republic. Ever since he was rescued, Akuk is restless, talks to himself and walks aimlessly within the compound of Children Protection Unit in Gulu District where he has lived for three weeks. Background Posttraumatic stress disorder is a severe disorder that can develop after exposure to any event that results in to psychosocial trauma that involves death to one’s self, physical, sexual, or psychological integrity overwhelming the individual’s ability to cope up with life.

Just like any other child, Akuk was abducted from his home in Acwera, Lamogi Sub county in Amuru District when he was only 13 years, but was rescued after 15 years.

UPDF 4th Division spokes person, Lt Isaac Oware says, at the centre, the rescued persons can spend close to three weeks for assurance of their well being, orientation sessions and engaging them in interactive sessions.

“Our interaction is also a platform for getting more information from them so that we can be helped in the rescue efforts of those still in captivity,” Oware says.

While they are still at the Children Protection Unit, (CPU), they receive treatment and counselling so that they can be able to freely interact with the caretakers at the centre.

Since the time of his rescue, Akuk has been visiting a psychiatrist for routine checkups and there is some improvement compared to when he had just come, says Lt Oware.

He adds that from June to date, 22 people have been rescued and some are still under rehabilitation while others have been taken to their home countries of Congo, South Sudan and Central African Republic.

Akuk is among the many persons that return from the captivity and still experience post traumatic mental disorder and depression due to exposure to the brutality while in captivity, says Suzan Alal, manager, World Vision Rehabilitation Centre, Gulu.

“Counselling sessions are on throughout the time spent at the centre and for those with severe trauma, we seek help from the psychiatrist at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital and other centres with such provisions,” she says.

Since 1995, over 14,000 returnees have gone through the centre. Six have suffered severe mental disorder and one has not been able to recover fully.

At the centre, the returnees are rehabilitated and it takes three to eight months for full recovery. After, they are given vocational training skills so that as they return to their homes, they can earn a living.

Senior Psychiatrist at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital Dr William Odur says the trauma which the former abductees went through needs to be addressed to relieve their mind and foster reconciliation in their localities.

“Some people still live in guilt and shame as many were forced to kill people in their own villages,” he says.

Psychosocial centres can also reduce on the workload in hospitals, as some people need less than a month of counselling before they are sent home.