In a world where young minds are shaping the future, the mental well-being of school-going children and adolescents particularly is at the same time at stake. It is now a reminder that mental health issue has been overlooked for years where the illness have been compared to madness and evil attacks.

Thanks to the governments there is a growing recognition of mental health.

 It is then now a reminder that mental health is not a standalone problem for middle-aged and older individuals. Young people are particularly vulnerable to mental problems, especially at the moment they are pursuing their academic journeys.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has shed light on the matter revealing a shocking where one in seven individuals aged 10 to 19 has experienced a mental disorder accounting for 13% of all adolescents worldwide.

Illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and behavioural disorders remain dangerous common culprits that can significantly impact the ability of students to perform well at their schools alongside suicides which has become the fourth leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds.

Mental Health Challenges in Rwanda’s context

The aftermath of the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994 has played a crucial role in the high incidence of mental health conditions in the country. The genocide resulted in the deaths of approximately 800,000 people, primarily from the Tutsi minority, and left many survivors traumatized.

As a result, around 25% of Rwandan citizens struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and one in six people suffer from depression due to the severe trauma experienced during that period.

The Health Ministry estimates released last year indicated that suicide rates cause about 9.5 deaths per 100,000 persons per year, and men are at higher risks with a ratio of women being 3;1.

Students testify about their ordeal

Boris Ishimwe, a student at the University of Rwanda recalls he was batting with school-related stress.

“I was puzzled when my grades began to slump and realized that the constant worry and emotional strain made it difficult for me to concentrate and stay focused on academics.

“I found myself unable to retain information and struggling to complete assignments on time. This led me to miss deadlines and poor performance during exams.”

Ishimwe’s ordeal of school-related chronic stress was extended beyond his academics until the matter got worse and it affected his physical health.

“I experienced fatigue, headaches, and difficulty sleeping. It became clear that addressing my mental health was essential in order to regain control over my academic and personal life,” he adds.

Amanda Kharis Simbi, a student at Kepler College Rwanda said she would have dropped out of school had been approached by a mental psychologist.

 “I don’t know if I would still be in school if it was not for our counsellor. When I finally had the courage to book an appointment with her, I anticipated being interrogated and judged. Instead, she sat and listened.

She not only listened but also empathized with me and my situation. I regret not using counselling services earlier. Counselling saved me from depression.”

School administrators role

Beata Mukeshimana, a Mental Expert at Kepler College Rwanda, a higher learning institution aimed at skilling programs shared her insights on the problems of mental health among students.

“Our students can sometimes feel overwhelmed by their academic workload, particularly during their foundation program. This is often attributed to the introduction of a new program that they are not familiar with.”

She advises that prioritizing mental health for students must be part and parcel of every learning institution.

“Mental well-being of our students must be prioritized to our students with dedicated mental health sessions and personal counselling,” she added.

Moreover, more than 800 secondary schools, TVET schools (Technical and Vocational Education and Training), and youth centres have partnered with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education to introduce this program. As part of this initiative, psychologists are being deployed to schools to educate students about mental health problems, encourage help-seeking behaviour, and train teachers to recognize symptoms of mental disorders. The prevalence of mental disorders among 14- to 18-year-olds in Rwanda is substantial, with statistics indicating a prevalence rate of 10.2%. The program aims to address mental health issues early, as many mental disorders tend to emerge during childhood or adolescence and may persist into adulthood.