Nature and Mental Health: An Invisible Lifeline
On Sunday, October 26, 2025, Solid Minds Counselling Clinic joined residents of Umutako village, in Kibaza Cell, Kacyiru Sector, Gasabo District, for a meaningful tree planting initiative under the theme “My Tree, My Legacy.” This was part of a nation-wide campaign encouraging communities to contribute to environmental protection and neighborhood beautification during the last weekend of October.
The activity followed Rwanda’s monthly Umuganda on Saturday, which this time emphasized large-scale tree planting efforts across Kigali and the rest of the country. Families, youth, and community leaders gathered to plant seedlings, restore green spaces, and protect local ecosystems—reminding everyone that environmental care is a shared responsibility.
Among the participants were the Solid Minds team, led by both Co-Founders, Samuel Munderere and Ariane Uwamahoro, who worked alongside the community with encouragement and gratitude.
Reflecting on the exercise, the CEO & Co-Founder, Samuel Munderere, shared: “It was great to see us all working together with the local residents of Umutako Village. Solid Minds Counselling Clinic donated 625 trees altogether, with the majority planted yesterday during Umuganda. Today, our efforts resulted in about 160 trees planted. I take this opportunity to thank the leadership of our country for being intentional about the protection of the environment. We are also proud of our modest contribution to this journey, and we reaffirm our commitment to continuing to work hand in hand with the City of Kigali in such a great life- saving initiative.”
He concluded by emphasizing that Solid Minds’ presence on the ground underscores the clinic’s commitment to extending wellness beyond clinical practice and into the heart of community life.
The environmental benefits of planting trees are well known: they purify the air we breathe, regulate temperatures, reduce pollution, prevent soil erosion, and add natural beauty to our surroundings. Yet, beneath these physical advantages lies a quieter truth; nature plays a vital role in our mental health and emotional balance. Green spaces are proven to reduce anxiety, lower stress, improve focus, and enhance overall wellbeing. When communities are surrounded by clean, healthy environments, the mind feels calmer, safer, and more connected.
Conversely, when natural habitats are degraded, polluted, or neglected, our psychological wellbeing is placed at risk. The environment we live in influences how we think, feel, sleep, and interact with one another. Tree planting, therefore, becomes more than an act of environmental care. it becomes an investment in collective mental health.
As a clinic dedicated to mental health and wellness, Solid Minds is proud to contribute to initiatives that strengthen both the environment and the wellbeing of those who depend on it. Participation in activities like this reflects a broader belief that healing does not only happen within counseling rooms; it happens in communities, in shared spaces, and through intentional acts of care.
Each seedling planted in Umutako Village symbolizes hope, growth, and the desire to leave something better for future generations. It is a gesture that transcends individuals and benefits the whole community. By cultivating greener neighborhoods, we cultivate healthier minds.
Solid Minds Counselling Clinic will continue to be intentional, present, and engaged in community outreach initiatives that promote environmental wellbeing and mental health awareness. These acts of service echo our core values: connection, compassion, and collective responsibility.
Nature is not a luxury; it is a necessity. When we care for it, it quietly cares for us in return.
Plant a tree. Protect your environment. Strengthen your mind. My tree, my legacy. Our earth, our wellness.