CMHS hosted this year’s world mental health day celebration

29-10-2021

The World Mental Health Dayis an opportunity to draw attention to an often-overlooked and neglected aspect of our well-being. This year’s day was celebrated by the University of Rwanda at its Remera Campus on 28th October 2021.
Almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are experiencing isolation, anxiety or depression. World Mental Health Day is a chance to reflect on how we can improve our own health, and to reach out and ask how other people are feeling.
This year’s theme is “There is hope after diagnosis of a mental health illness, lets seek care”. Many people in the Region and beyond, lack access to care for mental health conditions.
Prof. Nosa Egiebor, UR deputy vice chancellor of academic affairs and research while opening the event promised continued support to the UR center for mental health to achieve its objectives and mission.
Dr. Yvonne Kayiteshonga, the Mental Health Division Manager at Rwanda Bio Medical Center, Ministry of Health promised more advocacy for mental health initiatives and support to those in need of mental healthcare support.
Associate Professor Jeanne Kagwiza, the Ag. Principal of CMHS, thanked the organizers of the day’s event and promised continued support to all stakeholders working hard to address mental health challenges in our society.
Overall, there is a fundamental underinvestment in mental health that makes providing access to care incredibly difficult. This means that for most people, the lion’s share of mental health care costs are either borne by households and families, or that people needing care don’t receive it.
This is a missed opportunity. The majority of resources for mental health should go towards primary care and community-based programs, to promote re-integration of “long-stay” patients back into society, and to provide support for carers so they are better able to support people with mental health conditions.
UR is working with partners and stakeholders to develop strategies to expand access to specialized care and to provide training to primary health care workers, to make mental health care more accessible in communities.
Making sure people have access to mental health care, regardless of their location, income level, age,and addressing the underlying causes of mental illness, will require holistic action. Causes such as trauma, loneliness, poverty, and job loss must be addressed by action to improve the conditions in which people live, work, play and age.During this year’s World Mental Health Day campaign, CMHS showcased the efforts made so far.

Ag. Principal-CMHS, Associate Professor Jeanne Kagwiza addresses the audience at the event

UR Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research Prof. Nosa Egiebor makes his opening remarks to the audience

Dr.Yvonne KAYITESHONGA representing RBC presents a certificate of appreciation to the best student in the competition organised to celebrate the day

Part of the audience of students during the event

Story by

Eric MUGISHA
PRO, UR-CMHS