The Psycavi Observatory is proud to present the results of the first phase of its large epidemiological study in Rwanda. The recommendations presented are aimed at both policymakers, organizations, and practitioners working to improve the mental health of populations affected by violence.

Executive Summary 

Mental health is an essential foundation of individual well-being, family stability, and national socioeconomic development. This report presents a national research project examining how trauma continues to affect the mental health of Rwandans born before and after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. The study conducted in 2024 involved 1754 participants (829 men and 923 women), aged 18 to 65 years, from across the country, and relied on validated psychological tools to assess the lasting effects of collective trauma on individuals. The research provides compelling evidence that trauma-related mental health problems remain widespread in the Rwandan population thirty years after the genocide.

Rates of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (18%), depression (19%), and anxiety (9%) highlight a significant public health concern. Our study shows that the rates of mental health problems vary across different groups and are higher among women, genocide survivors, and the adult generation directly exposed to the genocide (Rwandans older than 48 years old). Trauma exposure is linked to poorer cognitive functions, especially short-term memory. Higher levels of education and cognitive functioning, as well as greater community integration and social cohesion, are linked to better mental health. Based on these findings, several policy recommendations are proposed to address the enduring mental health impacts of trauma in Rwanda. These include expanding access to mental healthcare and education, investing in targeted and evidence based interventions, and strengthening social cohesion.