Uganda: Addressing Mental Health through Music and Art
Music is a universal language that can heal individuals and unite communities. Join recording artist, Benjamin Spartos, in addressing mental health issues in Uganda through music, art, and community building.
Project description
Benjamin Spartos is a recording/performing artist, singer/songwriter and philanthropist who believes in the power of music in promoting good mental health.
He envisions a healthy community cultivated through positive music and expressive art. Benjamin has has started a movement to reduce the knowledge gap in the mental health sector within Uganda, and support those struggling with mental health issues. He works to create awareness to improve the level of confidence within Uganda to speak up about mental health challenges. Early efforts have focused on the production and promotion of songs (audio and video), organizing online discussions to create awareness on mental health issues and promoting online performances.
As the movement grows, he is seeking UB students to make significant and sustainable contributions through the following types of projects:
- Grant sourcing and fundraising through crowdsourcing
- Digital media
- Website development
- Content development and research on mental health
- Managing Zoom meetings and discussions with artists and community members
- Graphic design for poster initiatives
- Online mental health counseling clubs
- Research examining prevalence of mental health challenges in Gulu and broader Uganda
- Other interests or ideas
To learn more, you can visit the official website
Project outcome
Individual projects will be customized through collaborative discussions. Special effort will be made to connect projects with students' academic and/or professional goals.
Project details
| Length of commitment | Variable |
| Start time | Anytime |
| Level of collaboration | We are open to any level of collaboration. Some tasks and activities may require few collaborations whereas other tasks may require a joint team. |
| Benefits | Academic credit, volunteer, work study |
| Who is eligible | All undergraduate students |
Project mentor
Mara Huber
Associate Dean, Undergraduate Research and Experiential Learning; Director, Experiential Learning Network
Start the project
To apply for one of the limited spaces, send an interest email to ubeln@buffalo.edu with the following information and one of our staff will respond with more information via email :
- Share relevant background information about yourself and why you are interested in a global project.
- Review the list of current global partnerships, list the three you are most interested in working with and explain why for each.
- Explain what you hope to contribute to and gain from a global project.
Note that global partners rely on the contributions associated with ELN student projects and commit their limited time and resources to working with students. Accordingly, different projects will require varying amounts of time and strong commitment and follow through.
Preparation activities
Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase.
- Examine the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the history of the framework. Then select one SDG to focus on as you work through your project.
- Download and complete this PowerPoint template.