The issue
of mental illness has been the big enchilada for quite some time now. Recent
statistics from the WHO indicate mental illness affects roughly 1 in 4
Africans, many of whom do not seek treatment. This, unfortunately is reflective
in colleges and universities across the country, with statistics setting the
number of college students who potently face disruption in their quest for an
education the culprit being mental health related issues, as high as 30
percent. If stress piles up for a college student, they can find themselves
in a contest of resilience, so to speak, trying to keep up with the demands of
their new responsibilities. A contest in which many are bound to lose.
Mental illness can develop slowly over time, and can cause any number of problems if left unchecked. However, in spite of the public's awareness on the importance of mental wellness a lot still remains more said than done. With all the scientific progress that has and continues to be witnessed in psychology, the amount of stigma that still persists in 2015 is appalling. People Who Suffer from mental illness often remain silent on the issue, with the fear of being ostracized if they openly acknowledge their struggle, they feel like outsiders amongst their schoolmates and colleagues. This perceived social pressure and the fear of rejection can in turn only be portent of doom. This is irritating and somewhat ridiculous. The general opinion mental illness somehow represents a personal failure is a false fact. And false facts are highly injurious to the progress of science, for they often long endure.
The question of whether enough is being done to cater for students experiencing mental illness also controversial issue. While some institutions, in collaborative efforts, are providing more opportunities for mental health awareness creation at collegiate level, their activities remain relatively obscure, unbeknownst to the university students themselves. For example Kenyatta University's, Amazing Minds - an institution based NGO advocating for Mental wellness, boasts an impressive selection of options for it's members: group therapy, counseling sessions etc. While these are a wonderful window for someone actively seeking help, there should be more effort to make these institutions known to the greater student population and faculty.
If mental illness is to become a priority in the national health policy, it is important that we take the bull by its horns. Universities should with much volubility seek to play a big role in this movement, because they make up a huge slice of the pie that is the population most at risk. The responsibility to determine whether they require assistance should not be solely on the individual, that task also befalls the institutions themselves. They can do this by providing an environment where students are at ease when seeking assistance.
Mental illness can develop slowly over time, and can cause any number of problems if left unchecked. However, in spite of the public's awareness on the importance of mental wellness a lot still remains more said than done. With all the scientific progress that has and continues to be witnessed in psychology, the amount of stigma that still persists in 2015 is appalling. People Who Suffer from mental illness often remain silent on the issue, with the fear of being ostracized if they openly acknowledge their struggle, they feel like outsiders amongst their schoolmates and colleagues. This perceived social pressure and the fear of rejection can in turn only be portent of doom. This is irritating and somewhat ridiculous. The general opinion mental illness somehow represents a personal failure is a false fact. And false facts are highly injurious to the progress of science, for they often long endure.
The question of whether enough is being done to cater for students experiencing mental illness also controversial issue. While some institutions, in collaborative efforts, are providing more opportunities for mental health awareness creation at collegiate level, their activities remain relatively obscure, unbeknownst to the university students themselves. For example Kenyatta University's, Amazing Minds - an institution based NGO advocating for Mental wellness, boasts an impressive selection of options for it's members: group therapy, counseling sessions etc. While these are a wonderful window for someone actively seeking help, there should be more effort to make these institutions known to the greater student population and faculty.
If mental illness is to become a priority in the national health policy, it is important that we take the bull by its horns. Universities should with much volubility seek to play a big role in this movement, because they make up a huge slice of the pie that is the population most at risk. The responsibility to determine whether they require assistance should not be solely on the individual, that task also befalls the institutions themselves. They can do this by providing an environment where students are at ease when seeking assistance.
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