Thirty years of Rwanda's resilience and success: a sign of hope for mental health recovery after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi

Abstract

 INTRODUCTION

 Thirty years have passed since the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, which decimated the country. However, Rwanda's story is not solely one of the traumas. It also demonstrates the continuing human capacity for resilience. While the effects of the genocide are undeniable, Rwanda has made remarkable progress in addressing mental health issues and cultivating a healing culture [1,2]. Following the tragedy of 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the world watched with horror as the country dealt with the massive trauma inflicted on its people.

The 1994 genocide against the Tutsi left an indelible mark on Rwandans' physical and mental health, claiming over a million lives and leaving countless men, women, and children scarred by the violence and brutality

 IMPACT AND RWANDA'S RESILIENCE

The psychological impact of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi was enormous. Survivors witnessed horrible atrocities, lost loved ones, and dealt with unimaginable emotional trauma. Research from Rwanda's northern area revealed the long-term effects of this trauma, with Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) users still struggling more than two decades after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi [4]. More studies have shown that the burden of post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) and other mental health disorders among Rwandans is still huge [2]. Women had a higher prevalence of mental problems (23.2%) compared to men (16.6%) (p<0.05), and the most common mental disorders were severe depressive episodes (12.0%), followed by panic disorder (8.1%), and PTSD (3.6%). Among genocide survivors, women had a higher frequency of mental disorders (53.3%) than men (48.8%), mostly major depressive episodes (35.0%), PTSD (27.9%), and panic disorder (26.8%) [5]. Despite the severe scars left by the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda has made considerable progress in treating mental health concerns and promoting healing and reconciliation in its communities.

Intriguingly, studies done by researchers from the University of Rwanda's Center for Human Genetics and international collaborators have demonstrated scientific evidence of intergenerational transmission of PTSD and epigenetic defects among trauma survivors and their offspring [6– 8]. These epigenome-wide association studies identified several differentially methylated regions (DMRs) as well as several potential biomarkers in genocide survivors with potential impact on brain function and likely to be transmitted over generations. These discoveries are relevant to drug targets and present hope for developing precision medicine for preventing trauma and PTSD effects.