A a students’ counselor my role is to ensure that students enjoy a good mental health. Mental health is a state of wellbeing in which an individual realizes his/her own activities, can cope with the normal stressors of life, work productively, fruitfully and be able to make a contribution to his/her community(WHO,2014)
Mental health matters because it influences:
- How to communicate
- How we form, sustain and end relationships
- Our ability to cope with change, transitions and events.
It’s unfortunate that university students report higher levels of mental distress than their none student peers. Some of the challenges faced by students include: adjustment at university and home, relationships (family,) Failure to cope may lead to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression that can put one at a risk to commit suicide, stress, mood and anxiety disorders, psychosis (severe mental illness) and also death.
Let us all fight the stigma about mental health and seek support. It is not a weakness to seek support but a sign of strength. Mental health is a journey.
I therefore encourage all of you to identify symptoms of mental distress and work upon your mental health to improve every day.
Ms. Susan Birungi Badagawa
Contact the Counsellor on Email : sbirungi@mubs.ac.ug