On 6 April 2026, Healing Hearts Initiative(HHI) participated in the National Youth Summit , organized by the Medical Student Association of Rwanda (MEDSAR) in partnership with UNICEF Rwanda and the World Health Organization (WHO) .
The summit brought together many young people and provided Healing Hearts Initiative(HHI) with an opportunity to engage youth in meaningful conversations about mental health and emotional well-being.
Mental health is also about how we think, feel, cope with challenges, relate to others, and navigate everyday life.
One of our key messages was that mental health is more than mental illness . Many young people associate mental health only with mental disorders, but mental health is also about how we think, feel, cope with challenges, relate to others, and navigate everyday life.
We encouraged young people to prioritize their mental wellness before reaching a crisis. This includes learning healthy coping skills, understanding emotions, building resilience, developing supportive relationships, and knowing when and where to seek help.
Young people should have spaces where they can express themselves and seek support without fear of judgment or stigma.
We also highlighted the importance of safe spaces where young people can express themselves and seek support without fear of judgment or stigma.
For Healing Hearts Initiative(HHI), the summit reinforced our commitment to promoting mental wellness, breaking stigma, creating safe and inclusive spaces, and connecting young people with appropriate support.
We believe that investing in young people's mental health today helps build healthier communities tomorrow.
Mental health is not only about how we heal when we are struggling; it is also about how we cope, connect, grow, and thrive.
Promoting mental wellness. Breaking stigma. Creating safe spaces. Empowering young people to heal and thrive.
