Addressing mental health issues especially through awareness campaigns and events is something mental health organisations, activists and enthusiasts are doing frequently. While access and integration of mental healthcare still has a long way to go, the strides that have been made thus far, like RBC’s establishment of a mental health division, are undeniable. ALSO READ: Youth urged to break silence on mental health issues There hasn’t been a shortage of awareness campaigns for mental healthcare designated to appeal to different demographics. With discussions centered on provision of mental health services for public school students and the youth as well as facilitating those in the workforce to access these services, mental health awareness has spread far and wide, but what tangible impact is it really making? “More people are open to the idea of addressing their mental health and there has been an increase of over 200 people pursuing mental healthcare thanks to awareness campaigns,” says Josse Mukeshimana, a certified lay counselor. Findings of the national mental health survey conducted in Rwanda in 2018 revealed that 40% of the country’s population were unaware that they could seek support for mental health issues and an estimated 25% were battling PTSD and it is this that prompted a call to action. What’s really happening? Rwandans often cite shortage of resources as a reason not to fulfill their responsibilities and the same could be said for mental health in the past, however key players like Imbuto Foundation making monetary contributions to the cause ought to place the odds in their favor to some extent. Let’s Reason is one of the promising innovations that’s been working closely with Imbuto Foundation and according to the latter, the project currently in its final development stages, has room at the table for more investors to pitch in. During an interview with The New Times the founder of Lets Reason, Michael Tesfay, shared that among the various things they’ve been working on is developing an electronic medical record and working on a prototype for a tele mental health web and mobile app set to be launched in August 2023, preceded by a six months pilot program. While activism has made considerable strides in toning down the stigma around mental health, there is still room for growth, a gap that the mental health organisations in Rwanda gradually and efficiently intend on filling.
