On June 25, 2025, Senators, government officials and experts held a consultative meeting to discuss mental health issues.
Senate President Dr. Kalinda François Xavier stressed that mental health is a vital component of citizens’ well-being and a shared responsibility across all sectors. He called for collaborative efforts to overcome the barriers to effective mental health service delivery.
“We must find our solutions by understanding and discussing the existing challenges, and by improving the implementation and impact of our current strategies,” he stated.
The State Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Butera Yvan, emphasised the urgent need to address mental health challenges in the country. He cited findings from a 2018 study showing that one in five Rwandans has experienced a mental health problem at least once.
Dr. Butera explained that Rwanda’s history, particularly the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, is a major contributor to widespread mental health disorders. According to the study, 11.9% of Rwandans suffer from severe depression, 8.1% from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 3.6% from severe anxiety, 0.5% experience suicidal thoughts, 0.1% have bipolar disorder, 0.3% are high-level substance abusers, 1.6% consume alcohol excessively, and 2.9% have epilepsy.
He also noted that some age groups are more affected than others. Mental health issues are reported in 21% of people aged 26 to 35 and 26.9% of those aged 46 to 55, indicating that both younger and older adults are significantly impacted.
Rwanda has made significant progress in addressing mental health challenges. The number of health centres offering mental health services has increased, and more doctors and nurses are receiving specialised training in this field. District hospitals now provide more than 45 different types of mental health medications. Additionally, the country has opened a dedicated “Ketamine Clinic” for treating severe depression, which is the first of its kind and is located at King Faisal Hospital.
The number of people seeking mental health services is also growing. In 2019, about 33,000 individuals accessed mental health care, increasing to 49,000 in 2022–2023. These included 9,000 patients at referral hospitals, 6,000 at district hospitals, and 600 at private clinics, while the majority received care from local health centres.
To strengthen the mental health workforce, the number of students enrolled in mental health-related programs was increased to 300 per year starting in 2023, up from only 60 students previously. These trainees are primarily nurses and doctors.
Although progress has been made, significant challenges remain. These include the stigma that discourages individuals from seeking help, limited resources, shortages of medication, and a shortage of qualified health professionals. Ongoing collaboration across multiple sectors is crucial for sustainably promoting and protecting mental health in Rwanda.
