WALKING FOR LIFE: UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN TAKES A STAND AGAINST SUICIDE

by Agbor Blessing Favour

On September 10, the world observed World Suicide Prevention Day as directed by the WHO, a day dedicated to raising awareness about suicide, encouraging conversations around mental health, and reminding people that help is available.

At the University of Ibadan, the message was taken beyond words.

The Asido Campus Network, University of Ibadan (ACNUI), the university arm of the Asido Foundation, organised a walk for suicide prevention within the university community. The walk brought students and members of the university community together in a shared message: SUICIDE IS NOT AN OPTION

The walk titled "CHANGING THE NARRATIVE ON SUICIDE" began at Nisa Park. Participants eventually made their way to Trenchard Hall, where the programme continued with speeches from the out going Vice- chancellor, representatives of the Muslim and Christian faith, as well as presentations to highlight some of the issues that students find themselves in which makes them to attempt suicide.

The walk progressed to halls of residence, with Queens hall representing the female hostels and Kuti hall representing the male hostels.

The event was attended by the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, the Sub-Dean representing the Dean of Students, and other members of the university community. Religious representation was also present, with an Imam representing the Muslim community and a Christian clergy representing the Catholic community.

One of the major messages from the event was the importance of speaking up and seeking help when facing difficult situations. Students and staff were reminded that they do not have to face their emotional, academic, or personal struggles alone. The university's mental health facilities and support systems were presented as resources available to members of the university community who may be going through difficult times.

The programme also highlighted the different factors that can contribute to suicidal thoughts among students. Through a drama presentation, attention was drawn to the pressures students sometimes experience from their academic performance, family expectations, and career choices.

The drama particularly portrayed the pressure that can come from parents who place heavy expectations on their children. For some students, the struggle is not only about getting good grades but also about meeting expectations concerning what they should study, what career they should pursue, and what their future should look like.

These pressures may seem ordinary to an outsider, but for a student already struggling emotionally, they can become overwhelming.

The message was therefore clear: pay attention to what people are going through, create room for conversations, and do not dismiss someone's struggles simply because they may not appear serious to you.

The walk was more than a physical movement from one location to another. It was a symbolic movement towards greater awareness, openness, and support for mental health within the university community.

For the University of Ibadan, an institution that has continued to place attention on mental health advocacy, the initiative further highlighted the importance of creating an environment where students and staff can seek help without feeling alone or ashamed.

The involvement of the Asido Campus Network also added another dimension to this advocacy. By taking suicide prevention messages directly into students' spaces, including their halls of residence, the campaign brought the conversation closer to the people it was intended to reach.

Ultimately, the event served as a reminder that suicide prevention is not the responsibility of one person, one organisation, or one profession. It requires a community that listens, notices, supports, and makes help accessible.

Sometimes, a conversation can make a difference. Sometimes, knowing that someone is willing to listen can be enough to make a person pause.

And sometimes, a walk is more than a walk.

It is a statement that we see you, your struggles matter, and your life is worth protecting.