1. Introduction
• Define mental health and its importance for university students
The world health organization (WHO) conceptualizes mental health as a state of well being in
which an individual has appropriate awareness of self, realizes his or her own abilities, can cope
with normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make contributions to his or her
own community (WHO, 2022)
Students who make it to university education have the highest intellectual abilities. These
students are highly regarded by their communities and are expected to contribute towards
improving the lives of their parents and communities at large. The students face multiple
challenges ranging from academic pressures, psychological, emotional which affect their mental
well being. The findings alludes that 1 out of 4 university students are at risk of suffering from
mental health (Mazidul Islam, 2020) the findings also allude that 10% of the university students
are actively suffering from mental health illness and only 70% are not seeking treatment. Many
university students resort to drinking alcohol and abusing drugs and other substances to cool
pressures and demands. University students are members of the communities and are affected by
very similar conditions that affect every other member of the society.
Mental health is important to university students to help them manage student / class related
issues, health risk pandemics, personal and family matters, intensive academic pressure from
lecturers and economic or financial constraints.
• Explain why awareness and support are crucial in higher education
University students require mental awareness and other supportive programs to help them cope
with many university challenges. The extreme pressures may result into depression or intense
sadness and helplessness, anxiety disorders such as fear , worry or panic and behavioral disorders
like violent behavior, aggression and impulsivity (Mazidul Islam, 2020)awareness is necessary to
help students navigate through to be able to realize their dream careers. Some students may
experience decreased participation in class work and daily activities or withdrawn from others.
Some may experience mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs;;;
Universities must organize supportive programs through guidance and counseling departments to
be able to guide students and offer support. Universities must also develop youth programs such
as Peer Advocates For Life skills, peer counselors, peer mentorship among others. This will
help a large number of students share their individual experiences or ventilate. A problem shared
is a problem half solved. The leaders of these mentorship groups must be identified and regularly
appreciated for the work done to keep reaching a larger section of the students. Benchmarking
with other universities can be done where such supportive programs are not institutionalized.
• Define mental health and its importance for university students
The world health organization (WHO) conceptualizes mental health as a state of well being in
which an individual has appropriate awareness of self, realizes his or her own abilities, can cope
with normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make contributions to his or her
own community (WHO, 2022)
Students who make it to university education have the highest intellectual abilities. These
students are highly regarded by their communities and are expected to contribute towards
improving the lives of their parents and communities at large. The students face multiple
challenges ranging from academic pressures, psychological, emotional which affect their mental
well being. The findings alludes that 1 out of 4 university students are at risk of suffering from
mental health (Mazidul Islam, 2020) the findings also allude that 10% of the university students
are actively suffering from mental health illness and only 70% are not seeking treatment. Many
university students resort to drinking alcohol and abusing drugs and other substances to cool
pressures and demands. University students are members of the communities and are affected by
very similar conditions that affect every other member of the society.
Mental health is important to university students to help them manage student / class related
issues, health risk pandemics, personal and family matters, intensive academic pressure from
lecturers and economic or financial constraints.
• Explain why awareness and support are crucial in higher education
University students require mental awareness and other supportive programs to help them cope
with many university challenges. The extreme pressures may result into depression or intense
sadness and helplessness, anxiety disorders such as fear , worry or panic and behavioral disorders
like violent behavior, aggression and impulsivity (Mazidul Islam, 2020)awareness is necessary to
help students navigate through to be able to realize their dream careers. Some students may
experience decreased participation in class work and daily activities or withdrawn from others.
Some may experience mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs;;;
Universities must organize supportive programs through guidance and counseling departments to
be able to guide students and offer support. Universities must also develop youth programs such
as Peer Advocates For Life skills, peer counselors, peer mentorship among others. This will
help a large number of students share their individual experiences or ventilate. A problem shared
is a problem half solved. The leaders of these mentorship groups must be identified and regularly
appreciated for the work done to keep reaching a larger section of the students. Benchmarking
with other universities can be done where such supportive programs are not institutionalized.
