Saturday, October 10, is World Mental Health Day. The occasion should not just shine a spotlight on the challenges related to mental health but serve as an opportunity for world leaders to move mental health higher up the agenda.

As highlighted by the World Health Organization, there is an urgent need to scale up investments in public health across the world. 

Equally, there is a need for every individual to pay more attention to their and loved one’s mental health and to show more empathy and extend support to those grappling with mental health conditions.

In most African societies, mental health can be said to be one of the largely neglected subjects. Even where it is acknowledged, the discourse is often undermined by myths and misconceptions surrounding it.

A 2018 survey conducted in Rwanda found that as many as 38 per cent of the population did not know where to seek mental health and psychosocial support, while a paltry 5.3 per cent utilised existing services.

This points to a serious deficiency in terms of awareness about quality mental health and its importance for the wellbeing of citizens.

For a country with a traumatic history that spans generations this is an alarming situation that needs urgent attention. A multipronged strategy that includes committing more resources to public mental health care infrastructure, pushing back against myths surrounding mental disorders, and sensitising citizens to use existing services is essential.

Rwanda has achieved tremendous gains in many aspects of public healthcare and the country could use the existing structures such as community health workers and local government to help raise public awareness around mental health-related challenges.

This year has been particularly a difficult one for the health sector owing to Covid-19, but the pandemic has taken its toll on citizens – economically, emotionally, psychologically, and, for some, health-wise – in an unprecedented way and the need for mental health care has never been greater.

The problem is compounded by the fact that many people remain oblivious to mental health conditions. In many cases, it is difficult for one to know that they or their loved ones are victims and so they don’t seek appropriate help.

With schools set to re-open after months of suspension due to coronavirus – with the pandemic forced hiatus having affected many students, at least emotionally – it is important that schools are advised on how to counsel and reassure learners in these unusual circumstances.

Many students will almost certainly be affected in one way or another by the scale of safety protocols that schools have introduced in an effort to keep the virus at bay. There is a need to ensure that their mental health is taken care of.

Ultimately, ensuring your quality mental health and extending support to those battling mental disorders – consciously or not – is your responsibility.