Mental health and drug abuse have emerged as crucial issues affecting the youth, with a deep-rooted interconnection between the two.
Acknowledging the stigma and neglect often associated with mental health, the Lifeline Organization (LLO) took a bold step on June 13 by initiating a transformative campus outreach programme at the University of Rwanda, Nyagatare campus.
The primary objective of the initiative was to provide a safe and open platform for students to discuss their experiences, foster understanding, and promote their mental well-being.
As a youth-led organisation, LLO focuses on various aspects such as mental health and psychosocial support, peace -building, research, and capacity-building.
Kwizera Rulinda, a clinical psychologist and Board Chair of LLO, emphasised the significance of this campus outreach, stating, "We believe that education and awareness are fundamental in tackling mental health issues and drug abuse. By engaging with the students at the campus, we aim to empower their minds and equip them with the tools to navigate the challenges they may face.”
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During a panel discussion held as part of the programme, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and District Police Commander for Nyagatare, Jean Berchmas Dusengimana, shed light on common causes of drug abuse among the youth.
He highlighted peer influence, insufficient education about the risks, and easy access to drugs as factors leading to an increased rate of drug experimentation, addiction, and a range of physical and mental issues.
Dusengimana cautioned students about the associated risks, reminding them that dealing in narcotic drugs is a crime punishable with a sentence of up to life imprisonment. He further urged them to foster a sense of patriotism, nurture strong character traits, and resist emulating negative behaviours influenced by external sources.
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Stephanie Twizerimana, a student at the College of Education, shared his personal experience with drug addiction during his high school years.
He confessed that initially, substance use served as a means to numb his pain and stress, but he soon realised that it only worsened his mental state, creating a vicious cycle that adversely affected his academic performance.
Twizerimana expressed gratitude for the support he received from public talks by the Police’s ‘Gerayo Amahoro’ initiative and psychologists. He stated, "The orientation session on mental health and drug abuse has reshaped my perceptions of these issues, and I strongly recommend fellow youth to avoid relying on substance use.”
This mental health outreach programme comes at a critical time when mental health concerns are escalating globally. According to a 2021 report by CARAES NDERA Hospital, the risk factors of mental illness often coincide with drug abuse, leading to drug-induced mental illness.
Substance use by young people can exacerbate existing mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder, making them more severe and challenging to manage.
Certain drugs, including hallucinogens and stimulants, can directly affect the brain and trigger or amplify mental health symptoms.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has also highlighted the alarming prevalence of alcohol consumption among adolescents worldwide. Current drinkers in the 15-19 age group account for over a quarter of the global population, totaling 155 million adolescents. Additionally, heavy episodic drinking among this age group was reported at 13.6 per cent in 2016, with males being at higher risk.
Cannabis remains the most widely used psychoactive drug among young people, with approximately 4.7 per cent of individuals aged 15-16 admitting to its use in 2018.