Experts convene to explore strategies addressing mental health challenges facing children and adolescents in Africa

Mental health challenges among children and adolescents are increasingly emerging as a critical concern across Africa, affecting not only the well-being of young people but also their education, relationships, and future prospects. While awareness of mental health issues is growing, stigma, silence, and limited support systems continue to prevent many young people from receiving the help they need.

These concerns were highlighted by Dr. Raymond Ndikumana, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Planning and Administration at the University of Rwanda, while delivering his remarks at the policy event of a research project on promoting children and adolescents’ mental well-being in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The research project, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), was implemented through a collaboration involving the College of Education and College of Medicine and Health Sciences, working alongside University of Aberdeen and Addis Ababa University. The partnership brought together expertise from education, health sciences, psychology, and public policy to generate evidence on how schools and communities can better support the mental well-being of children and adolescents.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ndikumana emphasized that mental health is becoming an increasingly important issue not only in Rwanda and Ethiopia but across the African continent.

"Mental health, especially among children and adolescents, is a critical issue affecting societies not only in Rwanda and Ethiopia, but across Africa and the world," he said.

According to him, mental health challenges affect many individuals directly or indirectly, yet society often struggles to respond appropriately when young people experience emotional or psychological difficulties.
"When mental health issues arise, society’s response is not always supportive. Too often, people respond with judgment, silence, stigma, or even laughter, instead of understanding and care,” he added.

The project focused particularly on school-based interventions, recognizing that schools can play a transformative role in promoting emotional well-being alongside academic achievement. Researchers examined ways to strengthen supportive environments for learners and generate evidence that can guide policy and practice in both Rwanda and Ethiopia.

For the University of Rwanda, the issue extends beyond primary and secondary education. Many students’ entering university are still in late adolescence and continue to require mentorship and psychosocial support as they navigate the transition into adulthood.

As evidence from the collaboration between College of Education and College of Medicine and Health Sciences, the University of Aberdeen, and Addis Ababa University continues to inform policy discussions, researchers and educators hope that greater attention to mental well-being will help create supportive environments where children and adolescents can thrive both academically and personally.

Story by
NTIRANDEKURA Schadrac
PRO, UR-College of Education