Butembo, October 11th, 2026 (CPA).– Ebola virus disease is one of the factors that can contribute to mental health disorders, a psychologist practicing in Butembo, North Kivu Province, in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, told CPA on Saturday, on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, observed annually on October 10th. “Ebola virus disease is one of the factors that can contribute to mental health disorders. It all starts with denial: the community sometimes refuses to accept that this disease exists, which can lead to mental health problems. People question whether the epidemic is real. It is therefore our responsibility as psychologists to raise awareness of its existence through sensitisation campaigns,” said Kasereka Mulavi Bénédicte, a psychologist at the Centre for the Protection of the Needy and People with Mental Disorders (CEPIMA).The health professional also said that, during the current epidemic, his facility had adapted its patient care procedures. A triage unit has been established within the health facility. From now on, before receiving psychiatric care, each patient is examined to ensure that they do not have Ebola symptoms and, if necessary, is referred to a specialized treatment center.“Here at CEPIMA, we take precautions to protect ourselves. To this end, we have set up a triage unit. As soon as a patient arrives, we first assess the clinical signs associated with Ebola virus disease to determine whether the person is suffering solely from mental health disorders or also has Ebola symptoms. If the latter is the case, we immediately transfer the patient to a specialized care facility,” he explained.
This year, World Mental Health Day was observed under the national theme: “The Voice: A Change for Good Mental Health.”
In Butembo, the CEPIMA psychiatric center marked the occasion by organizingseveral activities, including a Eucharistic celebration and trauma-relief sessions for people living with mental health disorders.