Access to mental health care services in Burera District has increased.

The revelation was made on Tuesday during celebrations to mark Mental Health Day in the district.

Dr Tharcisse Mpunga, the Butaro Hospital director, said since mental health services were introduced at the hospital, patients no longer travel long distances to Kigali for medication. As a result, he added, over 2,500 people, including children have been treated in collaboration with health centres and community workers.

Mpunga said previously patients had to travel long distances to access mental health services in other distant hospitals.

Jean de Dieu Ndayishimiye, 30, who used to seek treatment in Kigali, is one of the beneficiaries of mental health services at the hospital.

He says before the hospital introduced mental health services, treatment was costly and time consuming since he had to seek it in Kigali.

"I developed mental illness when I was in secondary school and used to take medicine whenever I was in critical condition. However, it was very hard to get medicine at the beginning as I used to go to Kigali every month, this was expensive and time consuming since I had to brave long trips. I no longer need to go to Kigali to get treatment. I am thankful because I have healed,” said Ndayishimiye, who holds bachelor’s degree in topography.

Mpunga said the hospital encourages follow up of mental health patients in their respective homes, instead of keeping them in the hospital.

This method has proved to be more effective as the victims do not only need medicine but psychotherapy care and comfort from family members, he said.

"Most of the mental health cases are a result of family problems and it is better when those being treated are taken care of in their homes. Victims also need to interact with their families and psychologists to minimise depression, mental diseases are not only treated by medicines but also psycho and social care,” said Mpunga.

Mental diseases include anxiety disorders, mood disorders and psychotic disorders among others.

World Mental Health Day is marked annually to raise awareness on health issues.

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