By James Innocent
A long-time street resident believed to be living with a mental health condition drew attention in Yei Town on Monday after being seen bathing at the Yei River for what witnesses described as the first time in many years.
The man, identified by relatives as Bureng John, later walked through parts of town wearing a skirt and was seen around Hai Police area where he briefly posed for a photograph with a senior journalist.
According to a relative, Keji Noah, Bureng John has lived on the streets of Yei for several years and is widely known within the community. Residents say his behavior can sometimes be unpredictable.
“He sometimes moves around without clothes and does not like women passing close to him,” Noah said, adding that the man has on several occasions thrown stones at people who approach him.
Community members also say he occasionally rides unattended bicycles at high speed before abandoning them along the road after becoming tired.
Local authorities and health officials say such incidents reflect a broader need for mental health services in the area.
The newly appointed county health director for Yei River County, Simon Musoga, recently called on partners and humanitarian organizations to support the construction of a mental health unit at the local civil hospital.
Musoga said that many people experiencing psychological disorders require specialized care and trained health workers.
“Handling mental health cases requires trained professionals and compassionate caregivers,” he said, noting that the county currently faces shortages of qualified staff and medicines for treating such conditions.
Health experts say that years of conflict, displacement, and economic hardship in South Sudan have contributed to psychological trauma among many citizens.
People returning from refugee settlements in neighboring countries such as Uganda and Democratic Republic of the Congo are among those facing significant mental health challenges.
The issue is gaining increased global attention ahead of World Mental Health Day 2026, observed annually on October 10 and promoted by the World Health Organization to raise awareness about mental health and the need for improved care and services worldwide.
Health officials in Yei say strengthening mental health services at the county level could help support vulnerable individuals living on the streets and those suffering silently in communities.
Community leaders are now urging local authorities and development partners to prioritize the establishment of a mental health facility in Yei to ensure people with psychological conditions receive proper treatment, protection, and dignity.