From 2–4 September 2026, LR Media Initiative joined partners for the Joint Community Mental Health and Integrated Health Outreach-“You Matter 2026”, held under the theme:

“Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.”

The three-day outreach was led by Gulu Regional Referral Hospital and Santa Foundation, in collaboration with Gulu City, St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor and several other partners.

More than 700 clients accessed mental health and other integrated health services during the outreach. This campaign-wide result demonstrated both the demand for accessible community-based services and what coordinated partnerships can achieve.

Held during Suicide Prevention Month (September), the outreach also contributed to awareness-building ahead of the Gulu City Mental Health Marathon scheduled for 16 October 2026.

Continuing Partnership

In June 2026, Santa Foundation joined LR Media Initiative and other partners in conducting a Mental Health, Psychosocial Support and donation outreach to families affected by Nodding Syndrome in Pader District.

Collaborating again through You Matter 2026 demonstrates a shared commitment to sustained mental-health awareness, psychosocial support and community wellbeing. It also reflects LR Media Initiative’s strategy of building partnerships that combine expertise, resources and community reach to achieve greater and more sustainable impact.

The outreach aligns with LR Media Initiative’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support; and Youth Empowerment and substance abuse prevention programme.

LR Media’s Contribution

During this Campaign, LR Media Initiative’s role focused on using media and communication to support mobilization and share the campaign’s objectives.

This contribution supports our mission of using storytelling and media to raise awareness, educate, advocate and promote lasting change. It also advances our vision of a compassionate society that is educated, empowered, united and resilient in addressing societal challenges.

Before and during the outreach, LR Media:

• Shared campaign information to support awareness and community mobilisation.
• Promoted messages on mental wellbeing, suicide prevention, stigma reduction and early help-seeking.
• Provided professional photography and videography.
• Interviewed participating stakeholders, not clients; to document the campaign’s purpose, partnerships, services and key messages.
• Participated in general welfare coordination activities during the outreach.

Impact and Sustainability

LR Media Initiative’s contribution through awareness creation and community mobilization by sharing pre-campaign messages and participating in the planning meetings contributed to more than 700 clients who accessed mental health and integrated health services. The photographs, videos and stakeholder interviews, focused particularly on mental health, psychosocial support and suicide prevention will be shared across partner organisations’ and other digital platforms as continuing resources for public education. Their continued accessibility will sustain the campaign’s messages, extend its reach beyond the physical outreach and support future awareness and community mobilization.

You matter. Your voice matters. Seeking support is a sign of strength.