Editor, RE: “Johnson on saving lives through counseling” (The New Times, November 24). Kudos to Kelly for this commendable work especially in establishing what is one of the few counseling centres (and Christian based) in Kigali. The Ministry of Health mental health statistics have shown that a big percentage of Rwandans suffer from Genocide post-traumatic stress disorder. Check Kizito Musabimana, a genocide survivor now living in Canada, on YouTube to hear his harrowing account of living with PTSD from the Genocide. His story is moving and harrowing and frankly I was moved to tears at the countless others facing this. While talking with family members is a very key component, many of us dismiss counseling as unnecessary, for the weak amongst us, money wasting etc. Psychology is a recognised medical field and our own University of Rwanda has an undergraduate degree programme of the subject. We have to move away from thinking counseling/psychological services as merely giving advise (as Kelly rightly pointed out), and give it the due consideration it deserves. The Ministry of Health could begin by approving psychology services in its list of Mutuelles de Sante and RSSB health insurance schemes to make this more accessible. Mental health is a hidden issue that is surprisingly not being addressed and I wish it can be addressed as seriously as malaria, ebola or similar diseases if not for the fact that its proven that a big population of Rwandans have PTSD from none other than Minisante itself. Kigali Girl
