Olivier Uwishema, the founder of Oli Health Magazine Organization (OHMO), has embarked on a mental health initiative aimed at educating young people across Rwanda as the country commemorates the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Named ‘Navigating the Brain: An Overview of Neurological Disorders for High School Students’, the ongoing project aims to raise awareness among young people about the prevalence of mental disorders and their impact on individuals and society as a whole.

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Uwishema was recently named among Forbes Africa’s 30 under 30 - Class of 2023 in the medicine and research industry. The list features young people who are starting from scratch to build businesses and brands that are solutions-oriented.

He cites that studies clearly show that mental health, especially among the youth, is becoming a major concern.

For instance, statistics from the Rwanda Mental Health Survey show that there is a 10.2 per cent prevalence of mental disorders among 14 to 18-year-olds, and reports indicate that the majority of mental disorders usually start during childhood or adolescence and may continue till adulthood.

The highest prevalence rates of mental disorders are at 20.5 per cent and 52.2 per cent in the general population and sub-section of survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, respectively, according to the recent mental health survey by Rwanda Biomedical Center.

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"From the current situation on mental health in Rwanda, I feel like it’s vital that young people get to understand the importance of early detection and treatment,” Uwishema told The New Times.

He revealed that during his upbringing, he had limited access to quality healthcare. This experience instilled in him a desire to make a difference in the lives of individuals who suffer from mental disorders.

Uwishema’s organisation focuses on neurological disorders, which are a part of mental health.

During their recent outreach in Nyamagabe District, they educated over 1,300 students from Groupe Scolaire Saint Jean Bosco Kaduha (GS Kaduha) and Ecole Secondaire Kaduha (ES Kaduha) on the prevalence of neurological disorders, the impact on individuals and society, and the significance of early detection and treatment.

Uwishema stated that this outreach was part of his ongoing project in Rwanda, and he aims to reach more schools throughout the country.

"We also aim at empowering young people by providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to take care of their own brain health – not forgetting to help them seek help if they are, or someone they know is experiencing symptoms of a neurological disorder,” he said.

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Uwishema explained that the outreach programme adopts a competency-based approach to discussing mental health topics with students. This involves assessing the students’ existing knowledge of mental health and disorders, educating them on how to differentiate between different types of mental disorders, and teaching them how to take care of their mental health.

Another effective method used to raise mental health awareness is through an interactive game. The game involves at least eight students, with four students representing actions that can be taken to prevent depression, while two students represent causes of depression. One student represents a general doctor and the other a psychiatrist.

Uwishema noted that the majority of students who have participated in the programme so far have expressed that experiential learning has a greater impact on them than simply being told stories.

Uwishema’s project also received grant awards from Dana Foundation and International Brain Research Organization (IBRO).