Mental Health Challenges among students in Higher Institutions of learning

By Taiye Fatoki

The government can support higher institutions of learning to make issues of mental health easier to deal with by putting in place supportive policies that would ensure prevention, management and other supportive services for students in higher institutions. Higher institutions of learning should be supported to ensure the followings, to appropriately reduce the incidents of mental health issues among students:

Regular sensitization and awareness activities on mental health for students

Introduction of compulsory course on mental health for all students, so that they can have basic knowledge and understanding on its causes, prevention, management etc

Introduction of 24/7 telephony and if possible one-on-one support services on mental health issues

Establishment of a mental health support group with membership cutting across the institution community (students, academic and non-academic staff etc)

Collaboration with a tertiary health institution, non-governmental organization, medical association or mental health professionals association where available

In conclusion, it is important to know that whatever become the mental health of today’s students in higher institutions of learning would go a long way to affect our collective tomorrow as a people

Poor knowledge of mental health issues

These and many more reasons puts them at a higher risk of going through mental health challenges and crisis. The fact that the students are less likely to seek help because they do not know how to nor aware of the symptoms of mental health challenges makes it even difficult for them to be supported. While few who are willing to be supported are in institution where that has a weak or no mental health support system.

The following steps are healthy and supportive for students having mental health challenges:

Do not be hard on yourself, remember that challenges are not meant to defeat us, but to the defeated

Never let the thought of ‘I’m in trouble’ be a part of you, you can only be in trouble if you watch on and do nothing

Take a bold step to seek help/inform someone/ take a walk regularly or participate in sporting activities that improves physical fitness

Trace the cause(s) of the issue by breaking it down into specific causes, to enable you deal with it from the roots

Eat balanced diet and do away with alcohol and drug abuse and misuse

Do not fear, we all go through it, so you are not alone. You can only be alone if you do not act fast and right.

Visit the hospital to see a Doctor if need be (it is very important)

Fatoki Taiye Timmy is an innovative social development and human rights specialist with 15+ years experience in the development sector with a focus on the West Africa Region. Strong track record of delivering technical support in educational programme, highly competent in capacity development, institutional reforms, child rights and protection, youth development, and gender. High achiever with goalbound, time-conscious, strategic planning and inter-personal relation abilities. Presented a number of papers including a paper on promoting the girl child’s access to education which was presented at the 2008 Bill and Melinda Gate International Youth Conference, and ‘Youth Shadow Report on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria’, a United Nations General Assembly (UNGASS) 2008 Shadow Report with four other people

Skilled in project management, gender, child protection, youth development, community engagement, policy development ,advocacy & lobbying, capacity,organizational development and mental health crisis management. He is a board member of three NGOs in Nigeria, two of which he is the chairman -Aspilos Foundation and Value Reorientation for Community Enhancement (VARCE)..