SOUTHERN REGION

HUYE — Genocide has aggravated the country’s  mental health situation despite different interventions to tackle the problem, a health expertise has said. Dr Naasson Munyandamutsa a practising  psychotherapist  said the 1994 Genocide has served to compound the country’s mental health situation over and above what is considered to the normal levels of complications.

Speaking during a training session for secondary school head teachers and leaders on mental health organised by the Medical student’s mental health association (MMHA), Dr Munyandamutsa said that mental health problems in Rwanda have the 1994 Genocide as an aggravating factor.

"The problem of mental health is actually a global phenomenon. Rwanda’s case is made unique by the tragic events of 1994,” he said.

He said that mini studies conducted in secondary schools and some parts of Bugesera district show serious problems of mental health that has the Genocide as a causal factor.

He said that a comprehensive study to determine the extent of the problem in the Country is on and a final report is expected in three months.

He added that a manifestation of this unique case is the numerous  trauma cases registered during the national mourning period and within schools generally.

According to Munyandamutsa, steps have been taken to address the problem but hastened to add that the problem can never be eradicated.

"We now have a course in clinical psychology at university level, nurses in the field are being trained at the Kigali Health Institute and other interventions at Ministry and local government levels have been undertaken but the challenge persists and it will not be eradicated soon,” he said.

The Medical student’s mental health association that started in 2006 operates in the Southern Province.

It’s  major  focus is centred on mental health empowerment. It carries out public campaigns on mental health during the monthly community work, in schools and through radio programmes.

It also supports Genocide orphans in three associations through the provision of entrepreneurial skills and financial support.

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