Community-led
Mental Health
Our Vision
The Omni Med Uganda Mental Health Program (OMUMHP) works to bring accessible, community-led mental health care to Mukono District. Since 2017, we have trained and supported Village Health Teams (VHTs) to provide psychosocial support directly in their communities. Through this model, Omni Med addresses not just mental health challenges, but also the social and economic factors that affect well-being.
How the Program Works
1. VHT Quarterly Trainings
Every quarter, all VHTs on Omni Med’s roster participate in foundational training in psychosocial helping skills. These sessions equip VHTs with practical tools to support their neighbors and connect them to formal care when needed.
2. SEEK-GSP Groups
Selected VHTs lead SEEK-GSP (Social-Emotional and Economic Knowledge – Group Support Psychotherapy) groups. This evidence-based approach provides a safe space for community members to share experiences, learn coping skills, and strengthen social and economic resilience.
SEEK-GSP: Our Psychosocial Model
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What is SEEK-GSP?
SEEK-GSP stands for Social Emotional Empowerment through Knowledge – Group Support Psychotherapy. It’s an evidence-based, group-based psychosocial intervention developed in Uganda, which combines emotional support, skill-building, and economic empowerment.
In Uganda, SEEK-GSP is implemented by SEEK GP Initiative Ltd, an NGO based in Kampala, which works to scale group psychotherapy in rural and vulnerable communities, especially among people living with HIV.
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How SEEK-GSP Works
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Groups are led by trained non-specialist facilitators (e.g. VHTs) in rural communities.
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Sessions focus on interpersonal connection, mutual support, problem-solving, and income-generating skills.
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Because it is group-based and uses local lay facilitators, it is relatively scalable and cost-effective — reducing reliance on specialist clinicians in low-resource settings.
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Why OMUMHP Uses SEEK-GSP
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It builds directly on community strengths and social networks — which align with Omni Med’s vision of community-led mental health care.
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The intervention is already accepted and valued by communities and stakeholders, which supports sustainability.
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The structure allows VHTs to be key implementers — aligning with OMUMHP’s strategy of working through the local health workforce.
To read more about SEEK-GSP’s design, evidence base, scale-up efforts, and
innovations like tele-support psychotherapy
Meet the Mental Health Team
Our program is led by two experienced mental health specialists who bring extensive expertise in community wellness, training, and supportive care.
Jolly Magulu
CAMHC, EEG TECH, PCO
Jolly Magulu is a licensed Psychiatric Clinical Officer, a child and adolescent mental health
specialist, a certified CATT therapist, and a certified EEG technologist. He has worked in different capacities as a clinician, research assistant, clinical instructor, and trainer of trainers in several organizations such as Mulago and Butabika National Referral Hospitals, Makerere University, Baylor Children’s College of Medicine-COE, IRC-UNHCR, and Ministry of Health Uganda.
Dr. Alexander von Hafften
M.D.
Dr Lex von Hafften is a psychiatrist in Anchorage, Alaska. He received his MD from George Washington University School of Medicine in 1987 and completed his psychiatric training at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He began work with Omni Med in 2016 and has worked with government officials, academics at Makerere School of Medicine in Kampala to develop Omni Med's mental health program.
Looking Ahead
Our goal is to expand OMUMHP across Mukono and create a replicable model for community-led mental health that can serve districts across Uganda.
With strengthened supervision, integration of livelihood support, and partnerships with district leaders, Omni Med is building a sustainable framework for community-driven mental health care.
Mental health needs in Uganda are high, yet access to professional care is limited. By empowering VHTs, OMUMHP:
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Brings support closer to people’s homes.
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Combats stigma by encouraging open dialogue in communities.
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Connects individuals to social and livelihood opportunities alongside emotional support.