The Case for Youth Mental Health Support in Rwanda- Part 3
What has worked? Let’s zone in on that
Rwanda has made deliberate investments in equipping its young people to be the leaders of tomorrow, ready to drive the country's economic progress and stability. Education has been given top priority in Rwanda as the foundation to youth development. The government has put in place initiatives to provide access to high-quality education, one of which is the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) areas' promotion. Programs for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) are also prioritized in order to give youth real-world skills that are applicable to the workforce. The government has implemented policies to support STEM education and TVET, including the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy, positioning itself as a globally competitive knowledge-based economy. However, as we have explored in the previous part of this 3-part series of investigations, there is strong evidence to suggest that there needs to also be considerable investment in mental health interventions for young people integrated into education and workplace training initiatives, thus translating into individual and socio-economic benefits for the country as a whole. This third and final part of the series will look at the evidence for what has been working and provide a roadmap to guide future decision-making on the issue.
Strategies in place to address mental health issues in Rwandan youth
There have been several youth mental health interventions in Rwanda. One significant intervention is a campaign focused on the prevention of mental health issues among young people that happened last year. This campaign aimed to make mental health services more accessible and youth-friendly, emphasizing early intervention to address mental health challenges before they become more severe. The campaign is part of a broader effort by the Rwandan government and various organizations to improve mental health services across the country. Additionally, initiatives like the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) program have been implemented in schools, helping teachers and counselors identify and support students facing mental health issues. Moreover, there are efforts to tackle the long-term effects of trauma from the 1994 genocide, which continue to affect the younger generation. Programs involving sociotherapy have been successful in helping youth from both survivor and perpetrator families to heal and build social cohesion.
MHPSS program in schools has shown success in identifying and supporting students with mental health issues. Expanding this program to include more schools, particularly in rural areas, and incorporating life skills training can prepare students not only academically but also emotionally and psychologically for the workforce. Additionally, training teachers to recognize early signs of mental distress and providing resources for early intervention would be beneficial. While Rwanda has made strides in mental health awareness and services, the integration of mental health support in workplaces is still limited. Employers could develop and implement mental health policies that promote well-being, prevent burnout, and support employees experiencing mental health issues. This includes providing mental health days, offering employee assistance programs, and creating a stigma-free environment where workers feel comfortable seeking help.
Early interventions and the fostering of a culture of wellness through such initiatives provide the foundations for real-world skill building, with programs, such as YouthConnekt and Road Maintenance, empowering and involving young people in Rwanda by offering them opportunities to innovate and lead. These programs give mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to finance for young people and encourage them to participate actively in the development of the country. Rwanda has been encouraging its youth to have a strong entrepreneurial culture. Partners in the public and private sectors have been creating innovation hubs such as KLab and offering assistance to entrepreneurs, especially those in the technology and agricultural sectors. The Ministry of ICT and Innovation have also been scaling up support to create more of an enabling environment for young entrepreneurs.
Mental health services in Rwanda are primarily driven by government and non-governmental organizations. Encouraging private sector involvement in mental health initiatives could lead to innovative approaches and more resources for mental health programs. Public-private partnerships could fund mental health campaigns, provide training for mental health professionals, and support research into effective interventions. The use of digital platforms in mental health care is still in its early stages in Rwanda but expanding telehealth services and mental health apps could make support more accessible, especially for young people who are already digitally savvy. These tools and services require significant resources and technical assistance but ultimately ensure connections to broader trends in the global mental health field. They can even be the first step to inviting young entrepreneurs into a community of practice where they are actively contributing and benefiting from digital mental health innovations. The focus then is not just the well-being of youth, but also the on their flourishing.
