Heading: Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing in Schools
Adolescents are more likely to develop mental health issues due to a lot of changes they go through during this stage of development. This way, CHB conducted mental health awareness-raising outreaches in 3 secondary schools of Gasabo District.
CHB’s mental health promotion and prevention interventions aim to strengthen an individual’s capacity to regulate emotions, enhance alternatives to risk-taking behaviors, build resilience for managing difficult situations and adversity, and promote supportive social environments and social networks.
In solidarity with the whole World, CHB looks to create a community in which mental health is valued, promoted, and protected; where everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy mental health and exercise their human rights; and where everyone can access the mental health care they need.
Among its distinguished interventions, this year, CHB conducted outreaches in secondary schools to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing among adolescents in schools
This campaign started from the World Mental Health Day (on December 10, 2022) and ended on December 28, 2022. It was conducted under the theme “Make Mental Health and Well-being for All A Global Priority”.
The Campaign was conducted in Gasabo District, in collaboration with the Rwanda Biomedical Center, especially the Mental Health Division, and Kibagabaga and Kacyiru Hospitals.
The campaign sessions mainly focused on awareness-raising of Mental wellness; Mental illnesses commonly among youth and adolscents in Rwanda (Anxiety, Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD), and Pychosis); Prevention of drug and alcohol abuse; Ways of maintaining mental health; and Stopping Mental Health Stigma and Discrimination and sharing testimonies as well.
During this campaign, the outreaches were conducted in 3 secondary schools of Gasabo district which are G.S GISOZI I, G.S KINYINYA, and G.S KIMIRONKO II. From there, more than 3,000 students were reached.
In addition, the school leaderships understand well their responsibilities in maintaining their students’ mental health and well-being by engaging them in social activities, sports, and other recreational activities.