Depression

By Khadijat Ogido 

Maintaining good health is essential for students every day. Well-being is a holistic journey that integrates physical, mental, and emotional health. Mental health is a cornerstone of well-being, though many students overlook it.

Mental health problems can affect a student’s energy level, concentration, dependability, cognitive ability, and optimism, which hinder their performance. Students consider symptoms like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, psychotics, and mood swings as everyday experiences which often lead to mental illness.

According to mental health research conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in four students has a diagnosable mental illness. “A lot of pressure from parents, stress from exams, the pressure of getting good grades in university. These aspects destroy the inner peace of students”.

In a world where stress and fast-paced demands are commonplace, prioritising self-care and balanced living can significantly impact health and happiness. However, the case is often different for most students. 

The stress of pursuing academic excellence sometimes leads to neglect of health. To pass their exams, most students stay up late, reading for more than 16 hours a day, and some do not properly care for their diet, which has resulted in mental, physical, and psychological problems.

Mental health is vital at every stage of life, from childhood to adolescence and adulthood. There are several causes of mental health illness in students, such as depression, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, etc. Most students on campus experience some of these problems but always downplay them as usual.

Amina Abubakar, a 300L architectural student at Bayero University Kano (BUK), narrated her experience of how school activities have challenged and affected her mentally. She said, “Being a student is difficult because I must attend lectures, do tests, assignments, and presentations. Most of the time, I have a serious headache if I return from school. The headache lasts for more than two days, and I won’t be able to eat or sleep.”

Similarly, Maryam Jibrin, a student in the economics department, lamented about the price of being a student. She said, “Being a student, trying to get good grades, maintaining social relationships and trying to cope with the current hardship is on another level because it’s affecting most students in many ways. At times, students feel depressed and stressed out. Some students will even lock themself inside and don’t want to talk to anybody, and when u ask them what is wrong with them, they will say they are fine”.

Consequently, mental health issues among students have a significant effect on their academic performance. Social relationships, behavioural issues, physical health, lack of concentration, insomnia (difficulty sleeping), and other problems might affect students physically, mentally, and psychologically. 

Matt Haig, an English author and journalist, said, “Mental health problems don’t define who you are; they are something we experience. You walk in the rain and feel the rain, but you are not the rain.” Therefore, students who experience any symptoms of mental issues should not panic. They should always seek advice and help or talk to someone, not keep things to themselves.

In conclusion, since students must overcome academic stress to pass, the university authority should help create an environment that will enable students to study by building a counselling hall for students to go to when they feel depressed. Also, family and friends should not leave their loved ones alone without checking up on them, which might make them feel alienated. 

Students should engage in activities that bring them joy and relaxation, eat on time, take a break, give themselves time to rest, exercise, and be healthy. Health is wealth. Don’t hesitate to seek support when you need it. Your mental health matters, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Khadijat Ogido wrote via ogidokhadijat82@gmail.com.

By Jerry Ayuba Yavo

Depression is not just a regular aspect of human experience but a serious medical condition. According to the National Institute for Mental Health, depression is a common yet serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that impact how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. 

Some symptoms include persistent sadness, feelings of hopelessness or pessimism, irritability, frustration, restlessness, and, in severe cases, thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, or suicide attempts.

In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that an estimated 3.8% of the global population experiences depression, with 5% of adults affected (4% among men and 6% among women) and 5.7% of adults over the age of 60. 

Approximately 280 million people worldwide suffer from depression, and alarmingly, depression is about 50% more common in women than in men. This disparity is primarily attributed to biological factors, including hormonal fluctuations, genetic predisposition, and other factors.

Despite its prevalence, many people with depression may be unaware of their condition. A woman in Nigeria shared her experience with a reporter, revealing how she had struggled with mood swings since childhood. Her parents believed she was facing spiritual attacks, isolating her from her siblings, who were considered “normal.” 

As she grew older, she turned to drugs and alcohol to cope, eventually becoming addicted. It wasn’t until much later that she realised she had been suffering from depression since childhood. After marriage, she also experienced post-natal depression, which worsened her case.

In recent years, treatments such as medication and psychotherapy have proven effective for most people with depression. However, over 75% of individuals in low- and middle-income countries receive no treatment due to several barriers, including limited investment in mental health care, a lack of trained healthcare providers, and the social stigma surrounding mental illness.

Both men and women must assess their mental well-being and seek professional help if they experience symptoms of depression. Addressing mental health openly and without stigma is essential for a healthier society.

Jerry Ayuba Yavo wrote from the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano, via jerryjnr419@gmail.com.

By Aminat Adebesin Adebisi 

Nigeria, known for its vibrant culture and resilient people, is grappling with a pressing concern: mental health issues. Conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse affect millions, particularly the youth. Despite alarming statistics, the topic remains shrouded in stigma and silence.

Personal Experience

I have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of mental health stigma. A close friend struggled with depression for months, hiding her pain behind a mask of smiles. For her, seeking help felt like a sign of weakness, and she wasn’t ready to open up. As I watched the twinkle in her eye fade, I wondered how I could have helped her escape the darkness.

Alarming Statistics

According to a 2019 report by the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is the leading cause of disability in Nigeria, with 1 in 5 Nigerians suffering from mental health disorders. The National Mental Health Survey (2018) reveals that 22% of Nigerians experience depression, while 30% struggle with anxiety.

Barriers to Seeking Help

Limited awareness, stigma, and entrenched cultural beliefs hinder individuals from seeking help. In Nigeria, voicing mental health concerns can lead to gossip, judgment, or even rejection. This silence forces many to suffer in isolation.

Breaking the Silence

To combat the rising rates of depression, we must take the following steps:

• Establish Support Groups: Create social support networks with trusted, informed individuals to encourage open conversations.
• Raise Awareness: Leverage organisations like the Nigerian Mental Health Association, the Federal Ministry of Health, and media outlets to promote understanding of mental health issues.
• Integrate Education: Incorporate mental health education into school curricula to empower students and reduce stigma from a young age.
• Engage Community Leaders: Collaborate with community leaders and influencers to promote discussions around mental health.
• Improve Accessibility: Develop affordable and accessible mental health services to ensure that help is within reach for everyone.

Together, we can create a Nigeria where mental health discussions are embraced with empathy rather than met with stigma. By breaking the silence, we can offer support and hope to those affected, fostering a healthier, more understanding society.

Aminat Adebesin wrote via adebesinaminat2018@gmail.com.

By Muhsin Ibrahim

I am in my late 30s. However, I sometimes struggle to minimise my presence online. That is even though being online is part of my main job (thanks to digital ethnography) and my ‘side hustle’. Often, one or another thing on the internet will take your focus away, and before you know it, you waste quality time doing nothing important.

According to reports, TikTok rolled out new screen-time limits for teens yesterday to help them reduce their addiction to the video-sharing platform. Under-18 users will get an alert when “they hit an hour of daily scrolling. To dismiss it, they’ll have to enter a passcode.” Unfortunately, this may not help much because kids know how to navigate these restrictions. For instance, they can fake their ages.

Folks, select whom you interact with on and off social media carefully. Avoid toxic people even if they are ‘influencers’. If their content continually disturbs you, unfollow, unfriend, or even block them. Don’t seek people’s validation; learn to ignore and tolerate trolling.

Perhaps more importantly, remember that there is a life beyond social media and outside the internet in its entirety. Live it very well. It’s, in fact, the real deal.

Muhsin Ibrahim lives and works in Cologne, Germany. You can contact him via muhsin2008@gmail.com.

By Aishat M. Abisola

As everyone knows, maintaining a proper grasp of your mental health can be difficult, especially in stressful environments. Stressful situations make it hard for people to have good mental health, making the mind vulnerable to mental illnesses like depression or anxiety disorder.

As someone who has dealt with anxiety, I can say with complete honesty that it is a terrible thing to deal with and the feeling of it lingers for a while until you feel better.

The best way to describe the anxiety, or how it made me feel, is that it made me feel cold and numb. It was hard for me to breathe as if I was drowning and many hands were pulling me down.

I didn’t know anyone around me who felt the same way I did, so it was a struggle for me. Luckily, I found a way around it, which was through exercise.

I’ll be honest and say that I don’t exercise as much as I used to, but when I did, I felt as if I had no worries. So I understand if you might be confused about why and how I started feeling better with exercise.

What you should know about exercise is that it keeps people in peak physical form and improves their overall well-being by creating changes in the brain.

Let me clarify that any form of exercise is better than none: yoga, walking, swimming, martial arts, stretching, and housework (despite what some may think, things like sweeping and mopping can put your muscles to work).

People who often exercise generally sleep better, feel more energetic during the day, have better memories, and feel more positive about themselves.

This is not conjecture, but facts, as studies have shown that exercise can treat mild or moderate depression the same way antidepressant medication can – minus the side effects. For example, walking 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour reduces the risk of depression by 26%.

Inactivity damages your mental health in the same way that exercise can bring many benefits to your mental health. As a natural anti-anxiety treatment, exercise relieves stress and improves physical and psychological energy. In addition, exercise releases what I refer to as the body’s “Happy” chemicals (Serotonin, Endorphins).

These chemicals are known for improving one’s mood, and exercise releases a particular amount depending on the type of exercise.

Exercise also improves physical in more ways than one:

• Improves cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure, improving cholesterol levels, and reducing the risk of strokes, heart attacks, and heart disease.

• Helps with diabetes by improving blood glucose control, reducing cardiovascular risk factors, helping with weight loss, and delaying/preventing the development of type 2 diabetes.

• Reduces the risk of cancers: stomach cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, uterine (endometrial) cancer, etc.

• Improves bone health by strengthening the muscles and bones because ageing causes bone density loss and prevents osteoporosis.

• Increase the chances of living longer.

• Helps you to maintain an appropriate weight level.

• Improves brain functions and reduces the risk of dementia.

When it comes down to exercise, at most, you should perform 2.5 – 5 hours of exercise a week.

It isn’t recommended that you do your exercise all at once. Instead, reducing it into time intervals would be best to make it easier. If you don’t have much spare time, here are ways that you can exercise without it taking up too much time:

• You can try walking or cycling if you have a bicycle.

• Incorporate exercise into your daily lifestyle by maybe taking the stairs when you would probably take the elevator or parking your car (if you have one) far from your destination.

• You can practice yoga by searching on YouTube and following the videos through the motions.

• You can exercise in the morning before you prepare for work.

• Dancing is a fun method of exercising without putting much effort. Just play music and move your body.

If you have a chronic condition like arthritis, a disability, weight issues, or an injury that prevents you from moving too much, talk to your doctor about ways for you to exercise safely. You can worsen your condition by exercising without consulting a doctor on the proper steps.

Another thing to note is that if you are feeling pain while exercising, stop and rest. Drink some water and lie down. If the pain continues, don’t ignore it. Go and see a doctor for help.

If you’ve heard the saying “Health is Wealth” before, then you know that you should prioritize your body. Harming yourself to improve your mental health will only make it worse.

Exercise may be helpful to the body and mind, but make sure to listen when your body clearly says, “NO!”.

Aishat M. Abisola is a member of the Society for Health Communication, Wuye District, Abuja. She sent this article via aishatmohd02@gmail.com.