The newly inaugurated executive members of the Obafemi Awolowo University Students’ Union Government, Ile-Ife, Osun State, have announced plans to roll out mental health programmes for students following the death by suicide of a 200-level Dentistry student.
It was learnt that the student took his life after discovering he had failed his recently released examination results.
In a telephone interview with our correspondent on Thursday, the Secretary-General of the Students’ Union, Habeeb Oke, said the union’s welfare office would spearhead the initiative.
“The Welfare Office has plans for mental workshops and other events surrounding the subject matter,” Oke said.
“This administration just came in a week ago. We are still outlining and compacting our plans together. When we have a concrete meeting, there will be a rollout of events from the office of the welfare regarding mental health and how students can cope with examination results.”
In an earlier joint statement signed by the Union’s President, Adelani Oluwatodimu, Public Relations Officer, Olowosile Oreoluwa, and Oke, the leadership described the incident as “an unimaginable event [that] has shaken us to our very essence, reminding us of the fragility of life and the immense pressures that students often endure.”
The statement stressed that the tragedy “highlights a serious issue that affects many in our academic journey.
“The pressures of studies, expectations, setbacks and disappointments can sometimes be overwhelming, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. Mental health challenges are real, and seeking help is a sign of strength.”
The union urged students to take advantage of available support services.
“The university health centre offers confidential counselling services that are always available upon request.
“The union shall commit to advocating better mental health resources and destigmatising conversations around these topics. Remember, there is always hope, and help is a conversation away,” the statement added.
Confirming the incident in a separate statement on Wednesday, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, had said the student died at “his parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State.”
Olarewaju added that the deceased had already been repeating the class during the previous session.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Bamire, appealed to parents and guardians to help their children understand that “temporary setbacks in the pursuit of success are part of life and not the end of it.”
He also encouraged students to “view failure as an opportunity to redirect their paths towards success and greater achievements.”
PUNCH Metro reports that the institution has recorded similar cases in the past.
In 2019, a final-year student of the Faculty of Arts, Department of English Language, and another Computer Science student died by suicide after receiving low grades.
In 2017, a female undergraduate reportedly took her life over poor academic performance, while another student died under similar circumstances in 2023.
Credit: punchng.com
