The lecture is an annual seminar organized by the counselling unit of the University for all staff and students of Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State. The management team of the university were in attendance ably led by the Vice –Chancellor.
Several pressing issues on mental health were addressed at the seminar.
Two resource persons were invited to deliver papers at the seminar. Dr Sunday Maulton Amosu, a Consultant Psychiatrist from Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State and one of our own, Dr Temitope Funmilola Akpelishi, the Director Health Services, Bells University of Technology, Ota.
The two speakers laid emphasis on how mental health issues could make or mar an individual.
They postulated that young people within the age bracket of fifteen (15) to twenty-four (24) years of age were mostly affected. They opined that mental health issues could be as a result of genetics, chemical imbalance, insults to developing brain, pre-natal, post-natal infection, post nutrition, toxins and wrong drug usage. According to the specialist, it was stated that mental disorder is a diagnosable disorder, and it significantly interferes with an individual’s cognitive, emotional, or social abilities.
Mental health issues can also be displayed when children take up more adult – like responsibilities without having yet mastered the skills and cognitive maturity of adulthood. It was mentioned that symptoms of depression can appear at any age hence the need to always stay focused and always ensure a positive attitude. It was added that ages between 15 and 19 years were more prone to depression. There are some basic factors that could trigger off depression and this includes, change of residence, health problems and disability, academic obligations, poor academic performance, poor self-esteem, and relationship issues could trigger depression.
When all these symptoms are exhibited it is advised that one should seek professional assistance as soon as possible. Counselling process could be initiated to help guide through the process.
It was stressed that 50 percent of depression cases were not recognized, and care should be taken because depression developed slowly and was difficult to detect.
The issue of stress is also an aspect that disturb mental health, emotional, social, and psychological and there is a need to address it at the appropriate time.
The Bells University of Technology Students Association (BUSA) were at hand to motivate the students and to ensure they partook in the seminar. The Ag. Dean and staff from the student affairs unit were also available to encourage the students to actualize a desirable goal in this regard.
The main objective of the seminar was to ensure the students were adequately equipped with skills and knowledge needed to ensure they are mentally alert and psychologically stable to face the academic challenges ahead of them.
Three hundred and twenty – one (321) student attended the seminar.
The Counselling unit appreciates the university management for their unflinching support.
