In a recent survey conducted by the Aachol Foundation, it was found that a significant number of university students are grappling with mental health issues, with worries about their future careers being a major concern.
Out of 1,570 students surveyed from various universities, over half, 52.4 percent, admitted to having thoughts of suicide at least once during their academic journey. The survey revealed that 5.9 percent had attempted suicide, while 7.3 percent had collected materials for it.
The main cause behind these distressing thoughts was identified as career disappointment, with 55 percent of students expressing concern about their future job prospects. Additionally, 16.2 percent reported feeling depressed due to comparing themselves with others, while 9.4 percent cited dissatisfaction with their university education.
Other factors contributing to students' mental health struggles included issues with the university environment (9 percent), bullying by peers or teachers (5.3 percent), and a combination of these factors (1.6 percent).
The survey participants included students from various age groups, with 36.94 percent aged between 17-22 years, 58.53 percent aged 23-26 years, and 4.53 percent aged 27-30 years. The gender distribution among participants was 756 males, 813 females, and one identifying as the third gender.
The findings underscore the pressing need for universities to address the mental health challenges faced by their students, providing adequate support systems and resources to promote overall well-being during their academic journey.
