BUJUMBURA, March 19th (ABP) – The Association for the Promotion of Mental Well-Being (APBEM) was founded in 2022 by students from the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at the University of Burundi, after noting the rise in mental illness in the country, as explained by Zabulon Kambogo, the association’s legal representative.
According to Kambogo, the association has already reached important milestones. It has, in fact, been approved by the Ministry of the Interior, Community Development and Public Security, which allows it to operate officially. “We have already signed partnerships with other associations working in the field of mental health,” Kambogo said with joy.
“We listen to those who confide in us and have recently organized a trip to Ruziba, in the Kanyosha zone, as part of an awareness campaign on the causes, symptoms, and behaviors to adopt. We use sketches to help the population better understand,” he added.
Regarding the challenges encountered, Kambogo indicates that the lack of financial resource is a major obstacle to reaching a wide audience. “Each member must contribute monthly, but these funds are not enough to carry out all the planned activities,” he explains.
He also expresses a desire to expand the association’s impact. “We would like to have offices in all provinces of the country and a listening center to reduce the number of cases of mental illness and ensure appropriate care for victims, while eradicating their stigma,” he says. He calls on the Burundian government to actively engage in the field of mental health so that every citizen can enjoy good mental health, which will contribute to the achievement of Burundi’s Vision 2040-2060. Finally, he invites those who can to support the association in achieving its goals.
Note that APBEM is made up of twelve members who have completed their university studies in the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, in fields such as Mental Health and Psychotherapeutic Practices (SMPPT), Psycho-education of Childhood and Adolescence (PEEA), Special Education (EDS), and Teaching, Administration, Planning, and Supervision of Education (EAPSE).