It is now recognized that various circumstances that resulted from the pandemic do impact Rwandans’ mental health, and that past trauma symptoms can be awaked in these circumstances. Lockdowns, curfews, restrictions measures, losses of jobs and incomes, schools and universities closure, disruption of social and protective networks, decreased access to services are some of these circumstances which enhance anxiety symptoms and other mental health issues. The World Health Organization also reports that these circumstances can exacerbate the risk of domestic violence and anxiety symptoms such as being uncertain of the future most especially contracting the virus, anxiety, hypervigilance, confusion, and stress.

Furthermore, a Lancet study conducted a review of the psychological impact of quarantine and self-isolation using three electronic databases; results show the most prevalent negative psychological effects of the quarantine and self-isolation such as an aggravation of traumatic and/or post-traumatic stress symptoms, a sense of confusion and anger, infection fears, frustration, boredom, inadequate supplies, inadequate information, agitation, financial loss, and stigma.

And finally, feedback from Never Again Rwanda spaces for peace group members indicated that a good number of them experienced symptoms such as being uncertain of the future most especially contracting the virus, anxiety, hypervigilance, and confusion

As part of mechanisms to deal with mental health issues during the COVID-19 sanitary crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) published on 18th March 2020 guidelines for mental health and psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Just following the detection of the first case in the country, Rwanda, for its part, issued protocols and guidelines to implement the National Preparedness and Response Plan, which included addressing Mental Health. Thus, the first edition of COVID-19 infection treatment guidelines for Rwanda was approved on 20th March 2020 and paved the way for adequate case management of COVID-19 cases in Rwanda. The second edition of COVID-19 Clinical Management Guidelines including mental health was approved on 13 May 2020 following recent research developments, new knowledge availability, and experience in case management in Rwanda.
In times outside the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health issues in Rwanda have been characterized by mental disorders, which are mostly linked to horrific experiences that resulted from the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. In 2017, the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) found that mental disorders were among the top 10 causes of years lost due to disability (YLDs) in Rwanda. Furthermore, a nationwide mental health survey conducted by Rwanda Biomedical Center in 2018 indicated that the top three leading causes of mental health illnesses in Rwanda are major depressive episode (11.9%), Panic disorder (8.1%), Obsessive-Compulsive and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder both with a prevalence of 3.6%. In addition, the “Trauma, Trust and Tolerance Index “established by Never Again Rwanda (NAR) in 2018 revealed that 42% of healing programmer’s beneficiaries have post-traumatic Distress, 43.7% experienced bad memories or dreams and 15.1% were at high risk of committing suicide.

While the government of Rwanda and its partners have deployed multiple efforts in dealing with mental health problems, there is a long way to go. In addition, while the COVID 19 pandemic affected the economy, it has equally affected the mental health state of some Rwandan citizens. It is evident that community members whose mental health and emotions are fragile may be affected by this period.

It is from this context that NAR is developing new approaches and projects to address emerging mental health issues and support community members as well as youth to combat mental health challenges enhanced by COVID-19.

Our “Addressing mental health issues in relation to challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic” project’ strategy is online and outreach services delivery for a period of 6 months (till June 2021). We deliver professional psychosocial support offered by psychotherapists, peace agents, and youth peace ambassadors across the Rwandan community. NAR psychotherapists are based in five districts (Gasabo, Musanze, Nyagatare, Rutsiro, and Huye) and, with the support of trained peace agents, they provide psychosocial services to its boundary partners and the community at large through individual therapy where possible and awareness through radio and tv dialogue shows, social media campaigns and psychosocial support via phone.

In addition to this action conducted on the field, NAR also established and operationalized new online tools to better serve the Rwandan community with online psychological support and services: visitors of the www.wellness.neveragainrwanda.org website can self-evaluate their level of stress, get a free appointment with a psychotherapist, watch informative video, listen to podcasts and chat on a forum to share their mood and find online social support. The new website is available both in English and Kinyarwanda. An emergency line number is also available for psychological distress, from 8am to 6pm, from Monday to Friday.