As the genocide was brought to a stop, there was a need to restore mental health of individuals that had witnessed so much, in so short a time and with far reaching psychological effects. Both the perpetrators and the victims were affected.

Because of these after-effects, it became a matter of urgency to create policies, innovative frameworks and institutions that could address this disturbing situation. Several initiatives were undertaken to address cases related to trauma. Before 1972, mental health care was mostly looked at as an ailment caused by spirits and therefore could be handled and treated thus.