BUJUMBURA October 26th (ABP) – Psychologists Without vacation (PSV), Faith in Action and the National Association for the Protection of the Rights of the Mentally Ill, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and the Fight against AIDS, have proceeded to the opening on Tuesday October 24, 2023 in Bujumbura, of the week dedicated to mental health, marking the celebration of World Mental Health Day 2023 edition, scheduled for October 31, 2023 in Rumonge, under the theme “Problem of mental health and gender in Burundi”.
The deputy director of the national integrated AIDS control program, Mr. David Nzirubusa, specified that at the level of the Ministry of Public Health and the Fight against AIDS, the main activities have been carried out. He cited the development of the standards document, notably the guidelines for integrating mental health care into primary health care for the care of people with mental disorders. He added that those guidelines guided them to see what is needed at the community, at the health center, at district hospitals, at communal hospitals and at referral hospitals.
Mr. Nzirubusa stressed that in district hospitals, there are mental health services which accommodate those suffering from that illness. He reported that at the time when the latter were condemned to go to the Neuro Psychiatric Center of Kamenge (CNPK), CNP of Ngozi and Gitega, because of ignorance. According to Nzirubusa, mental illnesses exist and can be treated at health facilities.
As for the executive director of the association of Psychologists Without Vacation (PSV), Mr. Alain Joseph Hatungimana, he said that that week’s activities were organized as part of the celebration of World Mental Health Day, usually celebrated on October 10 each year. He specified that within the PSV association, that month of October was dedicated to the promotion of mental health well-being in Burundi.
In relation to the activities of Psychologists without vacation in the context of promoting mental health, the said association promotes mental and psychosocial well-being and above all considers that the psychological dimension of each person must remain an inalienable place, he said. to remark.
He also spoke about the activities of community psychological care, positive education, awareness-raising and capacity building of mental health care providers, to have professionals in the field, psychiatric nurses, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists.
Mr. Hatungimana took the opportunity to point out some challenges in the field. He cited the legislation which is not yet defined where in the Burundian judicial system a person suffering from mental disorders can be prosecuted in the same way as a normal person even though they are criminally irresponsible as stipulated in Article 12. The absence of the mental health program is also a challenge where its budget is less than 1% of the overall budget allocated to health. He also pointed out the problem of accessibility to care due to poverty and distance, and the lack of human, financial and material resources.
In relation to gender in Burundi, he stressed that a gender approach to health makes it possible to distinguish biological factors from factors linked to learning and the environment, while exploring their interactions. It’s about being sensitive to how gender inequalities can affect health.
Mr. Hatungimana also cited the vulnerability factors of women in terms of mental health, namely individual, relational, community and social factors. He also appreciated the Faith in Action association which contributed to the promotion of mental health among women by fighting against violence against women and children as well as the fight against drug addiction among parents and children.