Pilot implementation of the WHO LIVE LIFE guide for suicide prevention in Uganda
Official title: Pilot feasibility study of the WHO LIVE LIFE guide with DHMT as Champions for Suicide Prevention (WLLDC-SP)
Funded at Mbarara University/science/ Technology · NIH-11406091 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small, real-world test in rural Uganda to see if the WHO LIVE LIFE guide, led by district health teams, helps communities prevent suicide.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mbarara University/science/ Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mbarara, Uganda) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $165,856 |
| NIH project number | 5R34MH136226-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11406091 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Communities in rural Uganda and district health teams involved in suicide prevention.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals with suicide risk who are not reached by the district-led program may not receive direct benefits.
What this research studies
This project uses the WHO LIVE LIFE framework and trains district health management teams in Uganda to become champions for suicide prevention. It focuses on embedding prevention in existing government systems, strengthening community engagement, improving surveillance, and promoting responsible media reporting. By piloting in a rural Ugandan setting, the study aims to understand how task-sharing and community-based approaches can work in environments with high unmet mental health needs. The results will provide practical knowledge on how to scale effective, district-led suicide prevention strategies in similar LMIC contexts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to scalable, locally led suicide prevention strategies that strengthen community and health-system responses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous implementation work in similar settings suggests that community-based, district-led approaches can improve suicide prevention activities, though context matters.
Where this research is happening
-
Mbarara University/science/ Technology
Mbarara, Uganda Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rukundo, Godfrey Zari — Mbarara University/science/ Technology
- Study coordinator: Rukundo, Godfrey Zari
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.