Gasabo: Calls grow for more efforts in addressing mental health

More efforts are needed to complement strategies that are currently employed to address mental health issues in Gasabo district. This was addressed during the launch of Baho Neza (Live Well) Mental Health in Gasabo district, a project by Imbuto Foundation that seeks to contribute to the reduction of the mental health burden in Rwanda. Statistics show Gasabo District has the highest rate of mental health problems in the country, at 36.7 per cent, followed by Huye and Gisagara. According to last year’s records from Rwanda Biomedical Centre, there were over 4400 cases of mental illnesses in Gasabo district alone. In line with this concern, the project was launched yesterday, June 9, to increase awareness on mental health, with a focus on family as the basic unit of society. It also comes with special attention to mothers and their children, adolescents and young people as well as those most at risk. Some of the factors contributing to the high mental health cases in the district include post-genocide trauma, violence, ignorance, drug addiction and poverty. According to Pauline Umwali, Executive Administrator at Gasabo District, people have to understand that mental health illness is real and seek help. “You should not normalise not feeling well or claim the illness to be a chronic condition from the family. Approach healthcare experts, they will analyse what the issue is,” Umwali said. She called on to people to always often check on each other and encourage those, suspected of any health issues, to approach authorities for medical help. Pascasie Uwayezu, a health care worker at Gatsata healthcare, said mental health issues in Gasabo district are associated with genocide effects, according to a big number of people who approach them. “We hope this project will make a big impact in our community. A lot of people in this area have several mental health issues, some of which, are complicated and beyond our capacity, which is why it is a pleasure for us to receive the project.” She hoped to learn more from the project, and is optimistic that more will be done in terms of early detection for mental health issues in their community. Shyaka Mugabo, a resident of Gasabo district, welcomed the initiative and hoped for a big change in terms of fighting mental health issues in the community. He said that most people live with mental health issues and are unaware; therefore, such programs help them become sensitised and be able to approach experts for treatment. “We are glad this has come close to people in their community. People will be able to access these services privately; some people have been ashamed to go to hospitals, I believe this will have much impact on seeking mental help,” Mugabo said. The project has provided mental healthcare experts to each healthcare centre in Gasabo district, and more activities will be included in the implementation of the project such as healthcare counselling, awareness, among others. Baho Neza-Mental Health is a three-year project by Imbuto Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Gender and Family promotion (MIGEPROF) and Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) and will be piloted in 6 targeted Districts namely Nyamasheke, Nyaruguru, Nyagatare, Musanze, Bugesera, and Gasabo district, to contribute to reducing the mental health burden in Rwanda.

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Gasabo: Calls grow for more efforts in addressing mental health