60% LOADING: NAPS MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TEAM INITIAIVE —DELAYS, EXPANSIONS AND KEY QUESTIONS

By Faith Ajewole

The Vice President of the Department of Psychology, Marvellous Idumah, has, over the course of her tenure, worked steadily through the items outlined in her manifesto. One of the most notable among these is the proposed Mental Health Initiative, an idea that has continued to evolve as planning progresses.

From its early conception, the initiative has expanded beyond its original scope. While NAPSITES await its full unveiling, several steps have already been taken toward bringing the plan to life.

Part of this process has involved engaging key stakeholders, including the Head of the Faculty Help Desk Committee, Dr. Abel Obosi, a lecturer in the Department of Psychology. These consultations have significantly influenced the direction of the initiative and led to important adjustments.

Initially, the plan proposed a Mental Health Team comprising alumni, undergraduate psychology students, and professionals.

However, following further deliberations, it was advised that alumni who are not yet certified psychologists should not be included, as they are no longer within the school system. Additionally, undergraduate participants would require proper training in handling mental health concerns, beyond their academic background as psychology students.

The proposed structure now centers on creating a committee known as the Mental Health First Aid Team, informally referred to as “Handlers.” These individuals would be trained and made accessible to students, providing support for those facing mental health challenges. Notably, this support is envisioned to extend beyond Psychology students to include all students across various departments within the faculty.

A follow-up concern raised was the existence of a similar structure at the faculty level, the Help Desk Committee.

This raises questions about whether the proposed initiative would duplicate existing efforts, create overlap, or instead complement and strengthen what is already in place.

Despite this, the Vice President’s plan appears more detailed in structure, based on the level of planning currently underway.

In an interview, the Vice President noted her willingness to extend the timeline of the project beyond her tenure if necessary. Her priority, she explained, is to ensure that the initiative is properly developed and sustainable rather than rushed.

Beyond this initiative, the Office of the Vice President has also recorded progress on other manifesto items. These include Tutorial sessions (particularly for 100-level students) and sub-initiatives such as “Psych Facts” and “Scholar of the Week,” as well as the establishment of the EDC Committee.

During the interview, concerns were raised about the limited availability of information regarding the members of these committees and their specific roles. This has recently been addressed through the circulation of the “Know Your EDC Members” flyer, which includes the necessary contact details. NAPSITES are therefore encouraged to make use of this platform for academic support, reaching out to committee members for relevant concerns and engaging more effectively with available resources.

As planning continues, students are encouraged to stay informed and follow developments surrounding the Mental Health First Aid Initiative and other ongoing projects.