Uwimana Christine

“Stress is part of life, but how we manage it determines whether it builds us or breaks us.” On today’s Wellness & Relationship show, Chantal Mudahogora discussed stress management and women’s mental health. Missed it? Watch the full conversation here: youtube.com/watch?v=ot5Bp5…

Being friends with introverts is tough. Did they die? Are they just recharging their social battery? Are they Batman?? The suspense kills me sometimes.

Last week at 2iE, we had the opportunity to engage different layers of the academic community through a series of sessions centered on mental health, wellness, and stress management. We began the introductory mental health sessions for peer supporters, equipping them with fundamental knowledge and a shared understanding of their role in promoting well-being. This was followed by interactive wellness and stress management sessions with approximately 110 students, including peer supporters, creating space for open dialogue around academic pressure, coping strategies, and available support systems. We also had the opportunity to have a training with the senior leadership focused on building mentally healthy workplaces;exploring burnout, how to recognize its early signs, and practical approaches to prevention within institutional settings. Together, these sessions reinforced a simple truth: meaningful mental health work requires engagement across all levels of the institution-from students to leadership.

The Doorman Fallacy 'You have a five-star hotel and it has a doorman, welcoming incoming guests. McKinsey or Accenture will come in and say, “Your doorman currently costs you X thousand dollars a year. We have defined his or her function as opening the door. We’ll replace said doorman with an automatic door-opening mechanism and an infrared human detector and we’ll save you $30–$40,000 a year.” They walk away, and they take the credit for the cost savings. Two years later, the hotel’s a catastrophe ... because the doorman was doing multiple things, many of which were human and kind of tacit. Security would be one; there are no vagrants asleep in the doorway. Hailing taxis, dealing with luggage, recognizing regular guests, providing status to the hotel—there are loads and loads of value creation components to that doorman which aren’t captured in the open-the-door definition." It's easy to see the visible things, but the invisible things make the difference.

I'm pleased to share that I’ve been appointed Director of the Africa Institute and Frugal Biomedical Innovations at @WesternU 🇨🇦. Our mission is to grow strategic cross-continental #research, #collaboration, #innovation, and #impact across #Africa and #Canada💫

Amen Amen

The 2026 GMMH summit will be on the African soil for the first time, bringing together Health Ministers and leading experts from across the globe to discuss major global challenges in mental health and strategies for improving mental health care systems. @RwandaHealth @RBCRwanda

The #6th Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit in Doha has come to a close with an announcement that Rwanda is the host of the #7th Global Ministerial MH Summit in 2026 moph.gov.qa/english/mediac… @RwandaHealth @RBCRwanda @nsanzimanasabin @CMuvunyi @TuyishimeAlbert @eRemera

Thrilled to announce 4 distinguished speakers to the 2nd #MLOA2025 in Kigali, Sept 22–24: 🔹 Prof. Boris Mordukhovich 🔹 Prof. Conrad Tucker 🔹 Dr. Hans Georg Zimmermann 🔹 Prof. Dr. Lars Grüne Their expertise will shape the future of ML, optimization & applications!

Every September, the world comes together to mark #SuicidePreventionMonth. It's a time to raise awareness, break the stigma, and remind one another that hope and help are always within reach. Understanding suicide is an important first step, but awareness alone is not enough. We must also learn how to recognize the warning signs so that we can support those around us who may be struggling in silence. Suicide is rarely a sudden decision. For many, it follows a period of inner turmoil where subtle signals may be expressed through words, behaviors, or changes in daily habits. By learning to notice these signs, we equip ourselves with the power to intervene early and show compassion when it’s needed most. ✳️Emotional and Verbal Signs. A person who is considering suicide may express deep feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, or worthlessness. They may say things like “I don’t see a way out,” or “Everyone would be better off without me.”Sometimes these statements come disguised as jokes, but they can be genuine cries for help. ✳️Behavioral Changes. Pay attention to sudden shifts in behavior. Someone who once enjoyed spending time with friends might withdraw from social circles. They may give away personal belongings, engage in reckless activities, or neglect responsibilities at school or work. These changes, though subtle at times, can signal a deeper struggle. ✳️Daily Life and Physical Cues Suicidal thoughts can also manifest in daily habits. Disturbed sleep patterns, changes in appetite, or a noticeable decline in personal care may all be indicators that something is wrong. While each of these on their own may not mean much, taken together, they can paint a concerning picture. ✳️Recognizing these signs is only the beginning! When we see them, we must respond with care, courage, and compassion. Starting a simple, open conversation can be life-changing: “I’ve noticed you’re not yourself lately—do you want to talk about it?” Listening without judgment and encouraging professional help can offer a vital lifeline. ✳️Suicide is preventable! By educating ourselves, creating safe spaces for open conversations, and extending compassion to those in pain, we can change the narrative from silence to hope. Each of us has the power to be a source of light in someone’s darkest moment. 💛 If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a trusted professional or contact a crisis hotline. Police- 112 Ambulance- 912 Mental Health First Helpline- 8015 Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) Toll Free 114 #SuicidePreventionMonth #MentalHealthAwareness

Good intentions pave the road to hell

“Africa’s future isn’t a funding crisis —it’s an investment opportunity.” At #HLPF2025, Uganda led a powerful call for bold, Africa-owned finance, innovation, & STEM to drive the #SDGs. Business-as-usual won’t work—Africa’s time is now. #AfricaInvestment #2030Agenda

Social Dialogue Forum Edition 2: Compassionate Workplaces youtu.be/iJzxXaJxvSM?si… via @YouTube

One woman’s journey to transform Genocide-inflicted trauma into healing youtu.be/xbC60XpPSQI?si… via @YouTube

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: africanleadershipacademy.zoom.us/j/99241750424 #DisabilityAwarenessDay #MentalHealthMatters

The power of embracing flow and celebrating natural part of life start with me and you . Together for #periodpositivity #speakup #stopperiodstigma @Her_Worth_fndn @MujawamariyaG

Decentralisation of mental health services

🎉 Honored to receive the Certificate in Leadership Excellence from @WesternU! I’m appreciative to our #leadership for investing in us to build a culture of excellence within the institution. #Impact #GlobalHealth #Leaders #Growth #Care #excellence #westernu