Kinshasa, August 3rd, 2025 (CPA).– The first edition of the ‘Afyakili’ (mental health in Swahili) conference, focusing on the theme ‘Depression in all its forms’, has been organised on Saturday in Silikin village, in the municipality of Ngaliema, in the west of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). ‘Afyakili is a space that breaks the silence on all forms of depression. The aim of this first edition is to recognise the early signs of depression and promote mental health,’ has declared Dr Dumazedier Kabasele, one of the conference organisers. According to Dr Dumazedier, the depression manifests itself in a loss of interest or pleasure in all activities, a persistent sadness and a feeling of helplessness or inner emptiness, a sleep disorder and other silent symptoms such as irritability or social withdrawal, suicidal thoughts, etc. To prevent it, Dr Dumazedier has recommended developing a regular sleep routine, eating a healthy diet (focusing on fruit and vegetables), exercising regularly, encouraging healthy social relationships and community support, fighting stigma, etc. For his part, Dr. Daniel Okitundu, medical director of the Centre for Neuropsychopathology (CNPP), has emphasised that there are several forms of depression, but the most common is perinatal depression.
« The perinatal depression is the most common of all. It affects the woman during pregnancy and after childbirth. It is a form of depression that has serious consequences, because a woman who becomes depressed during pregnancy and after childbirth will find it difficult to care for her baby properly, and this has consequences for the child’s emotional, social and mental development, » he has emphasized. In addition, Dr Gedeon Samba, national director of the Mental Health Programme in DRC, has announced the presentation in two months’ time of the new multisectorial strategic plan for mental health. ‘It has already been finalised, we just need to have it validated by the appropriate authorities and at government level.’ ‘The African Union, which is supporting us, will come here with a delegation from several countries to see the model, because we will be the third African country to have it,’ he has concluded. Depression has been defined as a profound disorder that affects thoughts, emotions and behaviour. CPA/Mambu/Mubaka/PN/RS