Mental Health Awareness to 500 youth in Rwanda

Project Report | Aug 20, 2026
Mental health awareness report

By Donatien NDIZEYE | M&E Leader

Introduction

Friends Peace House (FPH) developed the Mental Health Awareness for 500 Youth in Rwanda project with the goal of increasing young people's understanding of mental health, reducing stigma, and promoting positive coping and help-seeking behaviors.
The project was designed to reach 500 young people with awareness sessions addressing mental health challenges, emotional well being, stress management, peer support, and the importance of seeking appropriate support when facing mental health difficulties.

Project Status

Unfortunately, during the reporting period, the project was not implemented due to insufficient funding. Although FPH had the commitment and readiness to implement the planned activities, the available financial resources were not sufficient to organize the planned awareness sessions and reach the targeted 500 youth.
We recognize that this is a significant gap, particularly because young people continue to face different social, emotional, and economic pressures that can affect their overall well-being.

Why the Project Remains Important

Despite the delay, FPH remains strongly committed to implementing this project. Mental health awareness is important because many young people may experience stress, anxiety, emotional challenges, isolation, or other difficulties without knowing where to seek appropriate support.
The project will help create greater awareness and encourage young people to talk openly about mental health without fear or stigma. It will also promote healthy coping mechanisms, peer support, and early recognition of situations where professional assistance may be needed.

What We Hope to Achieve

Once sufficient funding is secured, FPH plans to:

Reach 500 youth with mental health awareness activities.
Increase knowledge about mental health and emotional well being.
Reduce stigma and misconceptions surrounding mental health.
Promote positive coping and stress management practices.
Encourage young people to seek appropriate support when needed.
Strengthen peer support and community awareness around youth mental health.
Connect young people with available support services where appropriate.

Challenges

The major challenge facing the project is insufficient funding. The lack of adequate financial resources prevented FPH from implementing the planned activities during the reporting period.

However, this challenge has not reduced our commitment to the project. We continue to believe that investing in youth mental health is an important investment in the future of Rwanda's communities.

Our Appeal to Donors and Well Wishers

FPH remains optimistic about the future of this project and is actively seeking financial support to make the planned activities possible.
We encourage our donors, partners, friends, and well-wishers to support this initiative. Every contribution can help us move closer to reaching 500 young people with important mental health awareness and well being messages.
With sufficient support, we believe this project can provide young people with knowledge, confidence, and practical tools that can contribute to healthier individuals, stronger families, and more resilient communities.

Conclusion

Although the Mental Health Awareness for 500 Youth in Rwanda project could not be implemented during this reporting period because of insufficient funding, Friends Peace House remains committed to the vision behind the project.
We are grateful to all our supporters and partners who continue to believe in our work. We invite donors and well-wishers to join us in mobilizing the resources needed to bring this important project to life and ensure that more young people in Rwanda have access to mental health awareness and support.

Together, we can invest in the well being, resilience, and future of Rwanda's youth

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Apr 23, 2026
Appeal to all Donors and Well Wishers

By Donatien NDIZEYE | M&E Leader

Mental Health Awareness for 500 Youth in Rwanda

Reporting Period
April 2026

Summary
The project “Mental Health Awareness for 500 Youth in Rwanda” aims to address the growing mental health challenges among young people by providing awareness, education, and basic psychosocial support skills.
Although full implementation has not yet been achieved due to limited funding, the need for this project continues to grow. Many young people in Rwanda face challenges related to trauma, stress, unemployment, and social pressures, yet access to mental health services remains limited.
This report highlights the urgent need for the project and serves as a call to action for donors and well-wishers to support its implementation.

The Need for the Project
Mental health remains one of the most pressing yet under-addressed issues among youth in Rwanda. Many young people are affected by:
Trauma, including intergenerational trauma linked to the Genocide Against the Tutsi in 1994
Anxiety and depression due to economic hardship and unemployment
Substance abuse and risky behaviors
Lack of safe spaces to express emotions and seek help

Despite these challenges, awareness about mental health is still low, and stigma prevents many youth from seeking support.
Without intervention, these issues can lead to:
Increased conflict and violence
School dropout and reduced productivity
Long-term psychological suffering
This project is designed to bridge that gap by equipping 500 youth with knowledge and tools to understand and manage their mental health.

Planned Activities
Once funded, the project will implement the following activities:
Mental health awareness workshops for youth in different communities
Training on stress management, emotional resilience, and self-care
Basic peer counseling skills to support others
Community dialogues to reduce stigma around mental health
Creation of safe spaces for youth to share experiences and receive support

Expected Impact
Through this project, we expect to achieve:
Increased awareness and understanding of mental health among 500 youth
Reduced stigma associated with mental health challenges
Improved emotional wellbeing and resilience
Strengthened peer support systems within communities
Youth empowered to become mental health advocates and peacebuilders

Current Challenge
The major challenge facing this project is limited funding, which has delayed full implementation.
While the need is urgent and clearly visible in the communities we serve, financial constraints have made it difficult to:
Reach the targeted number of beneficiaries
Organize training sessions and workshops
Provide necessary materials and facilitation support

Call to Action
We are making a sincere appeal to all donors and well-wishers to support this important initiative.
Your contribution will:
Help equip young people with life-saving mental health knowledge
Support healing and resilience among vulnerable youth
Contribute to building peaceful and healthy communities in Rwanda
No contribution is too small—every donation brings us closer to reaching 500 youth in need.

Thank You to Our Supporters
We deeply appreciate the continued encouragement and generosity of those who believe in our mission. With your support, we can turn this vision into reality and make a lasting impact in the lives of young people across Rwanda.

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Dec 24, 2025
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By Donatien Ndizeye | M&E Leader

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