Mental Health Disorders on the Rise Among Rwandan Youth: Kigali Hospital Records Over 600 Cases in Eight Months
Since opening in January 2024, the Kigali Mental Health Referral Hospital has received over 600 adolescents seeking treatment for mental health issues, with 52% of them being girls.
According to hospital management, this statistic reflects a serious and growing mental health crisis among young people in Rwanda, particularly during adolescence.
Dr. Ndacyayisenga Dynamo, Director General of the hospital, explained that most mental health conditions start appearing between ages 12 and 13, when children begin to question themselves and explore their identity.
“When children have no one to talk to or help them understand what they’re going through, they may fall into emotional distress or turn to drugs,” — Dr. Ndacyayisenga said.
He pointed out that the root causes of these issues often include domestic violence, family conflict, poor parenting, or childhood trauma.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Mental health symptoms in young people are often mistaken for bad behavior, but signs to look out for include:
- Social withdrawal and fear of interaction
- Persistent anger or irritability
- Loss of interest in school or activities
- Frequent nightmares or disturbing dreams
- Lack of appetite or personal hygiene neglect
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Dr. Ndacyayisenga urged parents and educators not to ignore these signs, but to seek medical help early to avoid more serious consequences.
“It’s a major problem when people mistake mental illness for bad manners. Without awareness, these issues are often underestimated — yet they can have long-term impacts on a child’s life.”
Ndera Hospital Also Reports a Sharp Rise
CARAES Ndera, Rwanda’s long-standing mental health facility, also reported a 26% increase in young patients between 2023 and 2024.
Frère Charles Nkubiri, Director of the hospital, said that in 2024 they treated over 101,000 patients, up from 94,000 in 2023. Of these, 45% were from Kigali, with the rest coming from various parts of the country.
The most commonly treated conditions included:
- Major depression: 11.9%
- Severe anxiety: 8.1%
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): 3.6%
- Severe mental illness: 1.3%
- Disruptive behavior in society: 0.8%
- Suicidal behavior: 0.5%
Health authorities are calling on families, schools, and local leaders to prioritize the mental health of the youth, emphasizing that it is the foundation for a healthy and productive future generation.
