The Plateau State University Bokkos has urged staff and students of the university to prioritize mental health and seek professional help. Officials on September 9 specifically called for the utilization of the university’s Psychological Counsel Unit for mental health care. 

During a one-day suicide awareness campaign held at the Joshua Dariye Student Centre at PLASU, Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Shedrack Best, emphasized the significance of addressing mental health issues and preventing suicide. 

Represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Professor Moses Galadima Pefa, Prof. Best noted that suicide has become a major concern in society, claiming the lives of many young people due to neglect and lack of support.

The Vice Chancellor conveyed the university’s commitment to collaborating with the Jos University Teaching Hospital’s Suicide Prevention Team to raise awareness and prevent suicide. He encouraged community members to be mindful of each other's needs and seek help when necessary.

The event featured discussions, power point presentations, and a question-and-answer session. 

Doctor Anna Gyang, Team Lead of the Jos University Teaching Hospital Suicide Prevention Team, highlighted the signs of suicide, including self-isolation, expressions of hopelessness, anxiety, aggressive tendency, and depression. She stressed the importance of confiding in someone who can offer support.

Statistics presented during the campaign revealed alarming rates of suicide globally, with 800,000 people committing suicide annually and four individuals taking their lives every second worldwide.

Reverend Father Doctor Andrew Danjuma Dewan, Director of Advancement and Linkages and Chaplain of the Nigeria Federation of Catholic Students, attributed the increasing rate of suicide to broken homes and emphasized the need for families to support each other.