About The Speaker
Yvonne Kayiteshonga
Yvonne KAYITESHONGA holds an MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology from the University of Paris 8. She is a practitioner in the field of Clinical Psychology; and a public health professional with 24 years’ experience within which she gained relevant program management experience across monitoring & evaluating projects and management functions including Director of the National Mental Health Outpatient Center, National Director of all Mental Health Services, and National Director of Mental Health Division. In 2006 she was awarded a PhD scholarship grant from her government and joined the University of Paris 8 as a PhD student. She began researching on the evolution of trauma among the survivors of the Genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi. During her PhD research program, she simultaneously managed the Rwandan Mental Health Program. Since then she is researching in the trend of trauma, other mental disorders and drug addictions in the Rwandan population, with particular focus on Genocide survivors. She leads training of trainers and cascade training programs of physicians, nurses, psychologists, counselors, community health care workers and volunteers on mental disorders management and advises on mental health strategy. Yvonne is passionate about primary care. Her goal is to help clinicians deliver the best possible mental health care to individuals and communities. Acknowledged for her ability to inspire all of her colleagues to work hard with her positive attitude has contributed to the great strides made since 1994 and the future of Rwanda’s mental health care. Vigilance and her commitment to excellence guides her daily in her leadership, she leads by example in all areas. The nurses, physicians, counselors, community health workers and mental health educators have responded proactively and positively to her leadership. As a mental health care team they have made enormous strides to better mental health in Rwanda.