Strengthening Advocacy
Interview with a clinical psychologist in Burundi
In the heart of Burundi, amidst the challenges of socio-political conflicts, Michel dedicated himself to improving mental health care and awareness in his region. He is a clinical psychologist working at a neuropsychiatric hospital in Ngozi, a few miles away from the economic capital Bujumbura.
Michel recently participated in an academic writing workshop facilitated by ARQ and Intervention journal. This immersive experience holds promise for shaping his career trajectory and fostering a constructive impact through documenting and disseminating his distinctive approach. He endeavours to inspire donors, researchers, and clinicians to join forces in catalysing positive transformations in the landscape of mental health education in Burundi.
Empowering expertise
The workshop, tailored for trainers and academics, provided Michel with a unique opportunity to explore the nuances of academic writing and didactic skills. He emphasises: “The training supports me in effectively communicating the methods, benefits, and realities of treating psychiatric patients in Burundi to the world. I feel empowered to exchange my knowledge and experiences with other professionals.”
“I'll be able to be in direct contact with other professionals worldwide.”
Stigma on mental health issues
Michel shares his journey to becoming a clinical psychologist, starting from his observation of the stigma and hardship faced by people with mental health issues in his community. In particular, women who suffer from gender and sexual-based violence and the aftermath such as children without paternity, sexually transmitted diseases, and deterioration in the quality of life. “I saw how those people were stigmatised. The community believed in sorcery and evil spirits. I had the same beliefs when I was younger and wanted to understand better what was happening. That motivated me to become a psychologist.”
Awareness raising
Through academic writing and advocacy, Michel endeavours to bridge the gap between knowledge and action, shedding light on prevalent issues such as sexual abuse and violence against psychiatric patients. He envisions a future where publications serve as a platform to raise awareness within Burundi and globally. "By publishing articles, I will be able to inform others and inspire action, aiming to connect with professionals worldwide to improve treatment and prevention strategies for mental health issues," Michel asserts.
As he looks ahead, he extends a heartfelt plea for continued support and collaboration. By investing in educational initiatives like the workshop on academic writing and the train-the-trainer programme, we empower individuals like Michel to catalyse change and build a more compassionate and informed society—one word at a time.
Michel Ndikumana participated in the Academic Writing Workshop designed by ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Intervention and the Université Evangélique en Afrique. The Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs funded this programme through the Orange Knowledge Programme, managed by Nuffic Global Development. We and our partners are grateful for their support in stimulating the transformative power of education and advocacy.