On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, Irène Belanta Makuma graciously agreed to answer our questions for Ius Stella. Drawing on her experience as a psychologist, researcher, and advocate for vulnerable populations, she offers a powerful and compassionate perspective on the mental health crisis affecting prisoners and street children in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her insights help us look beyond prejudice — and remind us that mental health is a right, not a privilege.
Ius Stella: Can you tell us about your work providing psychological support to street children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the main mental health challenges these young people face?
Irène Belanta Makuma: First, it’s important to understand that children living on the streets often find themselves in such conditions due to poverty, war, or other dire socio-economic circumstances. They have lived—and continue to live—through situations that disrupt their emotional balance and cause behavioral disturbances.
The main mental health challenges these young people face include social exclusion and stigma, which prevent them from moving forward. Their basic rights—such as access to healthcare, food, and justice—are routinely violated.
Our work focuses on being present regularly, building trust with them, accepting them as they are without judgment, offering a space for expression, and working with them to develop resilience. Our ultimate goal is to help them get back on their feet and nurture meaningful, positive change in their lives.
As a mental health professional in the DRC, could you give us an overview of how mental health is generally perceived by the Congolese population, including stigma and common misconceptions? How does this affect your work and the services you provide?
Generally speaking, for a large portion of the Congolese population, mental health remains a taboo topic within communities. People tend to believe that only individuals who are “crazy” or severely mentally ill need psychological help. Yet, mental health is a reality that affects everyone.
This perception impacts our work as psychologists because it discourages people from seeking help from mental health professionals. Instead, they withdraw, keep their problems to themselves, and are overwhelmed by fear and shame. But the first step toward improving mental health is precisely to break down myths and misconceptions, shift our perspective, break barriers, and ask for help when needed. In fact, the sooner we seek help, the sooner we begin to feel better.
Why is it essential to provide psychological support to prisoners—whether adults or minors—in the DRC? What specific mental health challenges do detainees face in the Congolese context?
Prisoners, whether adults or minors, are deprived of their liberty and go through extremely difficult experiences that affect their mental health. Does the world even realize the conditions they live in while incarcerated? Prisons, which should serve as places for rehabilitation, have instead become sources of numerous abuses. Detainees endure inhumane conditions, marked by harassment and moral, physical, and sexual violence. They face stigma, discrimination, social exclusion, and a complete lack of respect for their fundamental rights. It is a mistake to believe that incarceration justifies such treatment.
These forms of violence create invisible wounds that require intervention from mental health professionals. Psychological support provides them with a space to express themselves, to be heard by professionals who accept them without judgment, and to regain a sense of balance and purpose.
Can you explain how the mental health of prisoners can affect their rehabilitation and reintegration into society after their release?
The prison environment is generally harmful to detainees’ mental health—especially since many of them have already endured traumatic experiences before incarceration. The most commonly observed disorders include depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and various psychiatric conditions. Symptoms range from eating and sleep disorders to persistent sadness, loss of interest, behavioral issues (such as aggression or agitation), suicidal thoughts, and low self-esteem.
When detainees receive appropriate support from mental health professionals, they are better equipped to manage the stress of incarceration and approach life with improved self-esteem. On the other hand, without this support, their mental health continues to deteriorate, which severely hinders their chances of successful reintegration into society after their release.
In a country like the DRC, how can we raise greater awareness about the importance of mental health, whether for street children or other marginalized groups? Are there any community initiatives aimed at changing perceptions and promoting better mental health care in Congolese society?
Mental health awareness in the DRC can be strengthened by involving all segments of the population, because mental health is everyone’s concern.
Active community participation at all levels would encourage open discussions about mental health, help break down stereotypes, and motivate people to seek help when needed. It is also essential to make mental health care more available and accessible.
There are some promising initiatives slowly moving in that direction, such as trainings, advocacy efforts, and awareness campaigns carried out in collaboration with community leaders and focal points, aimed at shifting perceptions and promoting mental health care in the DRC.