SolidMinds

30/07/2025

In a world where life can feel overwhelming, having a few people you can truly count on makes all the difference.
They remind us we’re not alone, celebrate our wins, and walk with us through the tough times.

Good friendships are good for your mental, emotional, and even physical health.

Let’s invest in meaningful connections and support each other’s journey to a healthier, happier life.

This Friendship Day, let’s celebrate the people who keep us grounded, growing, and well.

24/07/2025

Did you know? Some of the popular ideas about self-care are actually myths. This , learn what truly supports your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

23/07/2025

From a refugee camp to empowering others.
Kanisa Rebecca Majok Thiak’s story is a tribute to her mother’s love and unshakable resilience. Now studying Software Engineering at ALU, she’s creating safe spaces for healing and hope.

“I am my mother’s dream made flesh.”

Read her inspiring journey inspired by what’s possible when opportunity meets determination.

https://solidminds.rw/kanisas-journey-of-resilience-and-giving-back/

18/07/2025

We are thrilled to share with you the second issue of our Live Out Your Potential newsletter!

Read it here: https://mailchi.mp/bba842af5281/your-quarterly-mental-health-digest-267

This issue is full of powerful stories, meaningful updates from our programs, and inspiring reflections on mental health and well-being.

Whether you’re navigating life as a student, professional, caregiver, or leader, we hope this edition reminds you that healing is possible, support is available, and you are not alone on this journey.

15/07/2025

This July 16, in honor of Disability Awareness Day, we’re holding an open conversation on mental health and non-visible disabilities in the workplace. This will be a space to break stigma, foster empathy, and learn how to better support one another.

We’ll be joined by Justine Mukamwezi, our Clinical Director, who will share practical insights to help us build psychologically safe, compassionate environments for our teams and students.

📅 July 16, 2025 | 🕓 16:00 PM SAST
🕓 Time: 16:00 PM SAST
🔗 Register: https://africanleadershipacademy.zoom.us/j/99241750424

04/07/2025

Solid Minds Counseling Clinic joins all Rwandans in celebrating Liberation Day.

We honor the courage, resilience, and hope that brought our nation to freedom.

Together, let’s continue the journey of healing, unity, and progress.

Happy Liberation Day, Rwanda! 🇷🇼

19/06/2025

Men’s mental health matters and taking care of it is not a sign of weakness, but of wisdom. Whether it’s talking about how you feel, getting enough rest, or simply checking in with yourself, these small actions add up. You don’t have to do it all at once, and you don’t have to do it alone. Start where you are, with what you can. Your well-being is worth the effort.

18/06/2025

“Is it normal for men to feel overwhelmed?” This question might sit quietly in the back of someone’s mind, but it deserves an honest, open conversation. For too long, men have been taught to “bottle things up”. It’s time to shift that narrative. Let’s remind each other that mental health has no gender, and that asking for support is a strength, not a weakness. Start the conversation.

Check in with the men around you.

16/06/2025

Imagine a world where men felt totally okay talking about their feelings, just like they do about their favourite sports team or their job! Sometimes, what society expects can make it difficult for men to open up or ask for help, leading them to struggle in silence. This month, let’s challenge ourselves to knock down those walls and create a space where every man feels comfortable chatting about his mental well-being without anyone judging him.

13/06/2025

Relive the key moments from the 2nd edition of the Social Dialogue Forum.

From redefining performance to embedding care in leadership, this gathering united voices from public, private, and civil society to explore how we move from coping to thriving.

Mental health isn't a nice-to-have! It's a right, a responsibility, and a radical investment in our people.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJzxXaJxvSM&ab_channel=SolidMinds

Solid Minds is a private, independent outpatient mental health clinic located in Kigali, Rwanda licensed by the Ministry of Health. Along with the individual...

29/05/2025

What does it take to move beyond good intentions and build compassionate, supportive workplaces? This panel explored how organizations can bridge the gap between policy and practice, and why cultivating empathy, peer support, and mental wellbeing must be embedded in workplace culture.

Patrick KANANGA from the Ministry of Public Service and Labour emphasized that a compassionate workplace must be a space where mental health is protected, not undermined. It’s about more than earning a salary, it’s about feeling empowered and having a sense of belonging.

He reminded us that mental wellness is not a privilege but a constitutional right. To cultivate a compassionate culture, organizations must start by complying with labor laws and embed compassion into their workplace values and systems.

M. Salim S.Wangabi challenged us to rethink our cultures: A workplace that is toxic, unclear, or driven by suspicion cannot be compassionate. Instead, compassion thrives in empathy, open communication, and co-creation.
He emphasized that compassion isn't a one-time act—it’s a daily, ongoing practice. It requires organizations to consistently assess their systems and shift from work-life “balance” to true work-life integration.

Lucy Moindi shared from the private sector lens that the biggest barriers to compassionate workplaces often come from within teams themselves. When teams treat compassion as an optional task rather than a shared responsibility, it becomes harder to create a supportive environment. Leadership matters, but every team member shapes the culture.

29/05/2025

“Mental health is not separate from our physical health or our professional success; it’s foundational to both.” That was the message delivered by Dr. Jean Damascene Iyamuremye, Director of Psychiatric Care at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, during a powerful presentation on the urgent need to center mental wellbeing in both public health and workplace strategies.

In low- and middle-income countries, nearly 50% of individuals with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) also experience depression or anxiety. In Rwanda, over 20% of the population faces mental health challenges. This is no longer a side issue. It’s a growing public health and workforce priority.

Dr. Damascene reminded us that workplace stress isn’t just a morale issue; it directly impacts productivity and physical health. When mental health is ignored, organizations quietly bear the cost.

"...We must rebalance staff care with work care, invest in flexible, people-centered policies, and normalize mental health conversations at every level. The cost of inaction is too high for individuals, teams, and institutions. If we want thriving workplaces, we must lead with empathy and act with urgency." Dr. Jean Damascene Iyamuremye, Director of Psychiatric Care at RBC