The public has recently been alarmed by increasing cases of suicide, including in the City of Kigali, with many calling for greater attention to mental health issues that seem to be going unattended.

Indeed, a study conducted in 2018 by the Ministry of Health indicated that Rwanda had a very high prevalence of mental health disorders. 

Major depression topped with almost 12 per cent in the general public, and nearly tripled to 35. 1 per cent among survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

However, there is a general lack of awareness on mental health issues and risk factors that could lead to one thinking of taking their own lives. In most cases, when people unfortunately commit suicide we ridicule them and dismiss them as weak and coward.

Admittedly, the pandemic seems to have exacerbated the problem, with many people losing their livelihoods or faced with emotional stress.

While Rwanda has support systems for mental health, the 2018 study showed that a massive 85.9 per cent do not seek mental health services even though a majority of the respondents knew about the existence of the services.

One of the reasons why people don’t seek professional assistance or avoid opening up to a friend or a close family member is stigma.

Just this week a senator was forced to issue a public apology after making reckless comments on suicidal tendencies.

The negative perception about mental illness probably comes from people not understanding the problem or what it means to struggle with a mental illness.

Also, ignorance about mental disorders is still a barrier to access to support services.

As a society we cannot just sit back and continue to see loved ones and compatriots take the difficult decision to end their lives. People don’t just wake up and commit suicide. There are signs that show that someone is struggling and is at risk for suicide. In most cases they will withdraw from their friends and family, or experience drastic changes in personality, or change eating or sleeping habits, or engage in binge drinking/substance abuse, or suddenly show a lack of interest in things they previously valued, among others.

Whenever you notice sudden changes in one’s personality, habits or interests, it is important that you get close to them even more and offer them every support possible. Also, encourage them to seek professional help, without directly suggesting that they were at risk for suicide. 

It’s about time we took mental health issues seriously and engage in a constructive debate on how best to deal with this challenge, before it morphs into a major public health crisis.

This is a conversation we cannot afford to delay any longer.