After the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020 a lot of young people were desperate and worried about their future. The pandemic brought a lot of effects in the community including job loss, business shutting down which affected people's mental health as they became hopeless. This project aims to reach out to 500 young people including men and women in the age range of 15 - 24 years old to talk about mental health and how to overcome the challenges brought by the pandemic

Challenge

The effects of the Rwandan Genocide are still being observed because 25% of Rwandan citizens are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder from the genocide. Suicide rates have risen sharply in Rwanda and depression continues to be comorbidity among young people. The pandemic and the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano have had many effects on the community including job losses, business closures which affected people's mental health as they became desperate.

Long-Term Impact

Mental health awareness increases the chances for early intervention, which can result in a fast recovery. By raising awareness, mental health can now be seen as an illness. Another significant benefit to mental health awareness is that the more people know about the need for mental health treatment, the more mental health resources will become available. Without mental health resources, people would not be able to recover.

References

1. http://friendspeacehouse.org/