Appearing before the Committee on Governance and Gender Affairs on Tuesday, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health Dr. Yvan Butera said that the prevalence had dropped from 20.5% in 2018 to 18.6% in 2025.
“The preliminary figures show a decrease, which we attribute to the increasing efforts and resources dedicated to mental health services,” Dr. Butera said.
According to the ministry, mental health problems linked to depression fell from 11.9% in 2018 to 9.1% last year, while cases associated with stress decreased from 8% to 3%. However, conditions related to alcohol and drug use rose from 1.6% to 2.4%.
Other mental health conditions include schizophrenia (3%), bipolar disorder (0.4%), suicidal thoughts (0.9%), and substance use disorders (0.8%).
Dr. Butera noted that support programs for survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, their descendants, and school-based mental health initiatives have contributed to the overall decline, even as challenges remain.
He identified three major factors driving mental health issues in Rwanda: depression linked to the country’s historical trauma, stress, and substance abuse.
“Depression has decreased from 11.9% in 2018 to 9.1%, stress from 8% to 3%, while alcohol and drug use has increased slightly from 1.6% to 2.4%,” he explained.
The ministry’s data also highlights age-related trends. Adults aged 46–55 represent the largest group affected (25%), followed by those aged 36–45 (24%) and 56–65 (23.6%). Among younger people, 26–35-year-olds account for 18.2%, 19–25-year-olds for 13.7%, and 14–18-year-olds for 8.7%.
Rwanda’s mental health services are anchored at the community level, with approximately 60,000 health advisors across the country. Specialised hospitals provide more advanced care, and 80% of health centres now offer at least some mental health services.
Access to medication has also improved, with 14 types of drugs available at health centers and 20 at hospitals. The country has also launched a specialized clinic for severe depression and suicidal tendencies, known as the “Ketamine Clinic,” at King Faisal Hospital.
In response to concerns from Deputy Mukayiranga Muyango Sylvie about potential risks of using ketamine, Dr. Gishoma Darius, manager of the Mental Health Division at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, explained that although ketamine was initially used in veterinary medicine, it has been safely used in mental health treatment for the past 20 years.
He noted that research shows it can be effective for patients who have attempted suicide multiple times and do not respond to conventional medication, and that its use is closely monitored.
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