Mental illnesses destroying university, college students - stakeholders

Mental illnesses has been fingered as a pandemic that is robbing the country of bright, innovative and talented youths.

According to players in the education sector, the most affected are students in higher learning and tertiary institutions as well as those who just completed their secondary school education.

The stakeholders have raised concerns over alarming cases of suicide, violence, mental disorders and killings involving young people in Universities and colleges.

They say this is a ticking time bomb that requires serious attention and a multi-sectoral approach to dealing with.

Stakeholders who spoke at a career fair at Zetech University in Ruiru, Kiambu County, averred that the time is ripe for raising awareness and adopting deliberate measures to deal with the country's mental health scourge.

“Mental illnesses are a pandemic that has seen innocent lives lost, dreams shuttered and others left with life-threatening wounds. This is a matter that should be handled with urgency through collaboration between the government and stakeholders in the private sector to save our young people from perishing and for the sake of our future generations,” said Veronica Kamau.

Kamau, an expert in hospitality, tourism and international relations training said that both the county and national government, institutions of higher learning, NGOs and other organizations must rise up and create awareness as well as invest in counselling and mentorship so as to win the war against mental issues.

“Concerted efforts between all stakeholders including the private sector will help us to tackle and slay this dragon [mental illnesses] that’s wreaking havoc in our institutions of learning,” she said.

While noting that mental issues are no longer associated with old age, Kamau urged the young people to seek help from counselors as well as mentors by confiding in them the issues they are facing noting that this will help them overcome and save them from sinking into depression.

She at the same time called on universities and colleges to put in place measures and facilities to help address mental challenges facing students.

“About 75 per cent of mental illnesses, according to research findings, manifest by the time teenagers are in colleges or universities. It’s therefore imperative to have proper facilities and resources to handle these cases and help the students navigate their school life smoothly,” she said.

Zetech University’s HoD School of Business and Economics Dr Henry Kiogora said that the University has put in place structures that promote good health and well-being of its students, staff and members of the community.

“We have established a fully-fledged Student welfare department and a counselling faculty that is well structured and supported. We also have programs to help, offer individualized counselling, peer counselling and referral collaboration with mental health professionals,” he said.

Dr Kiogora challenged parents to handle their parenting mantle with a grip saying that most parents have back-tracked on their duties and hence the reason why their children are sinking to social ills.

Elvis Ombuki, a fourth-year Computer Science student, said that most students, especially those who hail from humble backgrounds, easily become victims of mental issues due to a myriad of challenges including financial hiccups.

“Sometimes those suffering lack the courage to open up their issues or disclose their predicaments for help. They end up sinking into depression and turn to alcohol or drugs for comfort. We need an anonymous platform where students can seek help. again, parents must keep on checking on their children and guide them until they are through with their studies,”