{"id":151,"date":"2026-06-27T17:37:51","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T16:37:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/?p=151"},"modified":"2026-06-29T18:44:01","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T17:44:01","slug":"delsu-pharmacy-students-embrace-mentorship-recreational-programmes-to-combat-mental-health-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/?p=151","title":{"rendered":"DELSU: Pharmacy Students Embrace Mentorship, Recreational Programmes to Combat Mental Health Challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BY OMAMUYOVWIN IDOGHOR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As concerns over mental health continue to grow among university students, the Faculty of Pharmacy at Delta State University, Abraka has intensified efforts aimed at supporting students through mentorship programmes and recreational activities designed to reduce academic stress and improve their overall well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studying pharmacy in Nigeria is widely regarded as one of the most demanding academic pursuits, with students often facing rigorous coursework, lengthy laboratory sessions, frequent examinations and the pressure to maintain high academic standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These challenges have contributed to increasing cases of depression, academic setbacks and, in some instances, withdrawal from school among students struggling to cope with the demands of the programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognising the need for a healthier learning environment, student leaders and members of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students (PANS) have introduced measures intended to promote mental wellness and foster a sense of belonging among students within the faculty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the advocates for student welfare, Hon. Comr. Precious Eliah, emphasised the importance of balancing academics with recreational activities, noting that mental health should be treated as a priority alongside academic excellence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to him, introducing enjoyable activities between academic sessions and semesters can significantly improve students’ moods and help them cope with the pressures associated with pharmaceutical education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He suggested that programmes such as PANS Week should continue to be encouraged, describing them as important opportunities for students to unwind and interact outside the classroom environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PANS Week, an annual event observed by pharmacy students, features a variety of activities including sporting competitions, movie nights, games and other social engagements aimed at fostering unity and relieving stress among students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Speaking on the significance of these activities, Eliah opined that students perform better academically when they are emotionally and mentally stable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Pharmacy school is challenging, and many students silently battle stress and emotional exhaustion. Recreational activities provide opportunities for relaxation and social interaction, which are equally important for academic success,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond recreational programmes, the faculty has also adopted a mentorship system that pairs junior students with their senior colleagues in an effort to provide academic guidance and emotional support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the arrangement, students in 100 and 200 levels are assigned tutors and mentors from the 400 and 500 levels. The initiative is intended to assist younger students in navigating the academic demands of pharmacy school while also providing support in dealing with personal and financial difficulties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mentorship programme has created a platform through which students can seek advice from individuals who have experienced similar challenges and successfully progressed through the programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beneficiaries of the initiative have described it as a valuable support system that has positively influenced their academic journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among them are 200-level students, Oboghenero Mercy and Onwordi Victoria, who acknowledged the impact of the programme on their personal and academic development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the students, having access to senior colleagues who are willing to provide guidance has helped them adjust more easily to the demands of pharmacy school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They explained that the mentorship system has provided them with encouragement during difficult periods and has enabled them to overcome several challenges that could have affected their academic performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also noted that the support received extended beyond academics, as mentors often provided advice on managing stress, maintaining healthy study habits and dealing with financial concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Observers within the faculty believe that such initiatives are essential, particularly at a time when awareness about mental health among students is receiving increased attention across higher institutions in Nigeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mental health experts have repeatedly stressed the importance of early intervention and support systems in preventing anxiety, depression and burnout among students pursuing highly demanding professional courses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For pharmacy students, who are expected to master a broad range of scientific and clinical subjects, the pressure can sometimes become overwhelming, especially when combined with financial responsibilities and personal challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many students have therefore welcomed efforts aimed at creating an environment where they can openly discuss their struggles and receive assistance without fear of stigma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stakeholders have also called for continued collaboration among student leaders, faculty members and professional bodies to ensure that the welfare of students remains a priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They maintain that while academic excellence remains a key objective of pharmacy education, equal attention should be given to the mental and emotional well-being of students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As universities across the country continue to address issues relating to student welfare, initiatives within the Delta State University Faculty of Pharmacy are being seen as practical steps toward creating a more supportive and inclusive academic community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With mentorship programmes and recreational activities becoming an integral part of student life, many hope that more students will be empowered to overcome challenges, remain motivated and successfully complete their academic pursuits without compromising their mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many pharmacy students at Delta State University, the message remains clear: academic success and mental well-being are not mutually exclusive, and creating a balance between both may be the key to producing healthier and more resilient future pharmacists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Academics of the Student Union Government (SUG) at Delta State University, Abraka has a decisive political move to address academic challenges and fulfill core welfare promises following its successful hosting of a \u201cCGPA Recovery Initiative.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The academic intervention seminar, which drew an impressive turnout of student stakeholders from various faculties, took place on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the SUG Secretariat, locate at Site 3 of the university\u2019s Abraka campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

BY OMAMUYOVWIN IDOGHOR As concerns over mental health continue to grow among university students, the Faculty of Pharmacy at Delta State University, Abraka has intensified efforts aimed at supporting students through mentorship programmes and recreational activities designed to reduce academic stress and improve their overall well-being. Studying pharmacy in Nigeria is widely regarded as one […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":155,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"iawp_total_views":5,"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,7,14],"tags":[31,25,33,39],"class_list":["post-151","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-healthcorner","category-trendingnews","tag-abraka","tag-delsu","tag-health","tag-mental-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=151"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":253,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151\/revisions\/253"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/155"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=151"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=151"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mediaconversation.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=151"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}