Rwanda has registered a notable decline in mental health-related cases over the past seven years, reflecting the impact of sustained prevention, awareness, and treatment efforts across the country.
Recent national data show that the prevalence of mental health conditions decreased from 20.5 percent in 2018 to 18.6 percent in 2025.
Disorders linked to severe depression recorded a significant drop, falling from 11.9 percent to 9.1 percent. Similarly, cases associated with trauma and post-traumatic stress declined sharply, from 8 percent to 3 percent over the same period.
However, the data also indicate a rising concern. Mental health conditions related to alcohol and drug abuse increased from 1.6 percent to 2.4 percent, signaling emerging challenges linked to substance use, particularly among vulnerable groups.
Commenting on the figures, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Yvan Butera, said the reduction in most mental health indicators demonstrates the effectiveness of community-based interventions and improved access to care.
“These results show that investments in mental health services, decentralization of care, and public awareness are yielding positive outcomes. At the same time, the increase in cases related to alcohol and drug abuse reminds us that prevention efforts must be strengthened in this area,” he said.
For Rwanda’s health sector, the progress marks an important milestone.
It reflects improvements in early detection, integration of mental health services into primary healthcare, and reduced stigma around seeking help.
At the same time, the rising trend in substance-related disorders underscores the need for targeted policies, youth-focused prevention programs, and stronger regulation and education around alcohol and drug use.
Health authorities emphasize that continued collaboration between government institutions, communities, and partners will be essential to sustain the gains achieved so far while addressing new and evolving mental health challenges.
