Suicide: Don advocates mental health support for students in distress
SANGO OTA (Sundiata Scholar) – Ogun State A Psychologist, Prof. Remi Alarape, has called on the management of tertiary institutions to provide a robust mental health support for students in distress to prevent them from committing suicide.
Alarape, who is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan, made the call in an interview on Saturday in Ota, Ogun State.
He spoke against the backdrop of the 200- level medicine student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, who committed suicide last week after failing examination twice.
He emphasised the need to establish a robust mental health support system for institutions, saying that “without effective coping strategies, students might feel that failure in examination equates to failure in life, leading to despair.”
Describing the incident as unfortunate, Alarape said it was a tragic reminder of the immense pressure students faced in the academic environment.
According to him, this event highlights the critical need for support system toward fostering a culture that prioritises well-being over academic achievements.
He added that “the tragic loss of this young student serves as painful reminder of the need for compassion, understanding and support within our educational system.
“By fostering open discussions about mental health, encouraging help-seeking behaviour and prioritising well-being, we can create a supportive environment for all students.
“It is essential for students, parents and institutions to work together to address challenges and ensure that mental health is given the importance it deserves.
“There is also the need to create a culture that encourages students to seek help without fear of judgment, and this can include peer support groups and mentorship programmes.”
Alarape further said that institutions should advocate for balanced approach to academic achievement, emphasising the importance of mental health and well-being alongside academic success.
He noted that many students struggled with mental health issues but hesitate to seek help due to stigma or fear of being perceived as weak, saying that this could lead to isolation and feeling of hopelessness.
The psychologist, therefore, admonished parents against putting too much expectations on those students in the demanding fields like medicine because they might be overwhelmed by the weight of expectations.
He urged students struggling with academic pressure or feeling of hopelessness not to hesitate to reach out to mental health professionals, adding that universities often have counselling services that could provide support.
Alarape enjoined students to understand that “failure is a part of life and learning, it does not define your worth or future. Many successful individuals faced setbacks and still continued to thrive.”
He further advised them to build a support network with friends, family, or mentors who understood their struggles, because talking about their feelings could alleviate the burden.(NAN)
