Knowledge About Mental Health and Expectations of Nigerian University Students to Campaigns Promoting Their Mental Well Being

Authors

  • Buhari Nimat Olubunmi Department of Behavioural sciences, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria. Affiliation: University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
  • Erubu Saad Ayodeji Department of Mental health, Afe Babalola University, PMB 5454, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Affiliation: Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
  • Fasiku Mojirola Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.
  • Bolu-Steve Foluke Nike Department of Counsellor Education, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria
  • Alatishe-Muhammed Biliqis Wuraola Department of Behavioural sciences, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.
  • Adebusola Jane Ogunmodede Department of Behavioural sciences, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria. Affiliation: University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
  • Bolarinwa Akeem Oladimeji Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.
  • Alfred Akinbo Adegoke Department of Counsellor Education, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4314.1.8

Abstract

About three-quarters of all mental disorders are diagnosed before age 25 years. Only 1.5% of Nigerian youths consider seeking professional health care for mental illness. This study aimed to assess university students’ prior knowledge about mental health and their expectations of campaigns to promote their mental well-being within the school environment. This was a descriptive cross-sectional pre-interventional study among 276 undergraduates. Questionnaires were administered prior to a mental health summit organized among tertiary institution students. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. The data from descriptive statistics were presented using frequencies and means. The mean age of respondents was 20 ± 2.1 years, with a majority being female (76.4%) and first-year undergraduate students (50.7%). Most recognised drug abuse as a risk factor (98.2%) and supported hospital treatment (85.5%), although 13.4% attributed mental illness to spiritual causes. Additionally, 65.6% were unaware of local mental health services, while 64.9% were willing to volunteer for mental health campaigns. However, 26.8% believed that people with mental illnesses cannot lead normal lives. About 50.9% learned about the Tertiary Institution-Based Mental-Healthcare (TIM Healthcare) Programme through the Students’ Union. Expectations from the mental health awareness campaign included learning about mental health, fighting stigma, and meeting specialists. The study highlights the importance of targeted campaigns and interventions, peer advocacy and institutional support in bridging mental health knowledge gaps and reducing stigma in tertiary institutions.

Keywords: Students’ mental health, Mental health campaign, TIM Healthcare Programme, Mental health literacy.

 

 

Downloads

Published

2026-05-21

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2025): December 2025

Section

Original Articles

License

Submission of manuscripts to the Sierra Leone Journal of Biomedical Research is of the understanding that the article either in part or whole is not under consideration for publication in any other Journal. Accepted papers become the permanent property of Sierra Leone Journal of Biomedical Research but unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium is permitted, provided the original work is properly cited.