Many young people’s goals are to go to various universities of their choice, study their dream courses, but beneath the surface lie unseen struggles. For these students, university is a place to start a new life and explore, often regarded as a domicile of freedom and independence, until the behind-the-scenes and unseen realities hit them. However, these factors, which are the mental health struggles of many students, are inevitable as a result of what life and activities in the university entail. Mental health is often regarded as one’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being and ability to adapt to daily life struggles, which many students often find challenging.
The Why Behind the Mental Struggle
Academic pressure on campus is so heavy, from climbing stairs in the hostel to climbing stairs in various lecture theatres such as the Agriculture lecture theatre, Admin lecture theatre, Amphitheatre, and others lectures theatre demands a lot from the students. In an interview with Ameh Godwin, a political science student, he said, ‘I go through a lot of stress while climbing stairs. He further added that frequent cancellations of classes after getting to the venue make him feel disappointed, too.
A student who introduced himself as Omoboriowo David, from the faculty of Environmental Development Management, said his own plight is getting water on time, late pumping of water resulting in a long queue in the morning, which becomes so stressful.
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Also, a resident of Awo hall of residence, Emmanuel Austin, said toilet usage and maintenance are really challenging and searching for a perfect toilet adds to his daily stress.
According to some, real academic pressure is how to meet up with academic expectations and excel despite too many assignments, the complexity of the course and lecturers, too many overloaded slides to cover in a short period of time and balancing classes and tutorials are really challenging, particularly for fresh students who are just newly introduced to the system.
‘The workload is relentless, endless readings, assignments piling up, and tests that demand weeks of prep, all while trying not to fall behind. No one checks if you’re struggling; it is all on you to figure it out.’ Said by Bolajoko Samuel, a part 1 student from the Faculty of Engineering.
From academic pressure to financial stress challenges, for these students, it is just not about first-class dreams or high CGPA anymore, but how to feed themselves, struggle to pay their tuition, pay for a workbook, transportation and manage to survive till their convocation. Students with little or no financial support hustle to meet academic and financial expectations, which often strains some students alongside their academic workload. Bolajoko Samuel further said, ‘On top of that, this school drains money a lot, especially for manual labour, and most of the time, if your day is not planned well, you can be starving and be tired at the same time’
This heterogeneous status has amounted to low self-esteem among many, some who encounter bullying and discrimination as a result of their appearance, and low academic performance often leads to social isolation, which eventually leads to anxiety, depression, loneliness and suicidal ideation.
Oftentimes, many regard University as an avenue to see future partners, being left out of relationships when peers are going to events and outings and breakups between lovers, which mostly leads to emotional distress, a mental health issue which many feel should not be heard often, leading to anxiety and isolation.
A student who identified himself as Obaniyi from department of Public administration said, ‘Before you go to a girl to express love you have to love her first and when the relationship ended, we all think about our exes, we think about what we did wrong, why and a lot of questions run in our hearts and minds because we truly love the person’. Breakup can have an effect on lovers’ emotions, and emotions can have a very bad effect on one’s life on certain occasions, as a student, he added.
Realities of Mental Struggle
In August, 2024, Ajibola Ibitayo, a dentistry student, committed suicide as a result of repeated failure in his medical courses. His inability to meet academic expectations resulted in his high stage of mental struggles, which eventually resulted in suicide.
In an official statement released by the University Dental Students Association (IFUDSA), President Adebayo Idris, regarding the devastating loss of a dental student, said, ‘It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of one of our colleagues in the Faculty of Dentistry. We have received the painful news that he took his own life shortly after the release of examination results,’ He said. ‘This loss is not just the departure of a promising young mind, but a painful reminder of the silent battles many students face. As an association, we are devastated, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, classmates, and all who knew him. He further added.
A Quiet Place vs a Buzzing Space: Stress Coping Mechanism
Amid lectures, group assignments, hustles and social events, there exists the mental health therapy on campus, a quiet place and a buzzing space. As academic pressure intensifies, most students discover the environment that helps their mental health and academic excellence.
Stress coping mechanism of a quiet place like libraries, under trees and not frequently used class help student reduce sensory overload and creates a room for meditation, and maintain concentration on studying, Instead of becoming a drug addict or alcohol drinker as a result of confusion, discouragement, disappointment and depression from hustling and academic expectations, some prefers a quiet place to channel their energy.
According to David Akin, a part 3 student of mass communication, said, ‘I find peace when I am in a calm, comfortable space where I feel safe to open up, and I also prefer a quiet place, it helps me think and feel more clearly’.
Some love the energy of buzzing spaces to heal the unseen, like Cafeterias, hostels, parties, departments, and football pitches. Places of drama, laughter and gisting boost their loneliness and relieve anxiety caused by academic stress without necessarily taking pills or seeing a mental therapist.
Favour Chidera from faculty of Agriculture said that he does a lot of activities when he feels down. ‘I listen to music, play football, go online, etc.,’ He added.
John Alabi, a part 2 student of mass communication, said he loves to listen to music when feeling down. A buzzing space and the ability to share burdens gives student sort of peace needed for the moment.
Balancing between study zones and students’ hangout depends on preference and ability to imitate others, as some switch depending on moods, while some are stuck with one.
Another student, Melody Feyijinmi, said, ‘It depends on the person, but many prefer a quiet place when feeling down, somewhere peaceful to reflect, rest, or regain clarity. Others might choose a buzzing space like a party to distract themselves and lift their mood through energy and company. ‘Personally, I would lean toward a quiet space with less noise, more healing. He added.
Philosophy of Minds and Mental Health
Speaking with the President of Mindvolta Club OAU and a mental health advocate, Oni Emmanuel, he said that early intervention is both critical and imperative in curbing mental health crises, and delayed intervention can cause aggravation of crisis symptoms. It could frustrate the treatment process and cumulatively increase the risk of suicidal behaviours.
He also advise student that are silently battling depression or emotional stress, ‘It is okay not to be okay. But it is not okay to remain that way. A mental health crisis is not a crime. You are not alone. Talk it out with people and join a support community. A problem shared is half solved.
He highlighted that several stress management techniques can be deployed, ‘Deep breathing and mindfulness relaxation techniques which involve slow, deliberate breaths to calm the body and mind’. According to him, the World Health Organisation released that deep breathing is usually effective in reducing stress and anxiety, lowering blood pressure, and improving sleep quality. Practically, it involves inhaling slowly through the nose (in 4 seconds), holding your breath for 2-3 seconds, then exhaling.
‘There are stress-relief hormones called endorphins. They are hormones that act as natural painkillers and mood boosters. They are known to reduce stress and improve mood. They also help with pain management.
There is another hormone called cortisol (stress hormone). However, regular exercise balances the mechanisms of cortisol and endorphins, improving mental health. He added.