Suicidal rate in Obafemi Awolowo University: Causes and solutions…by Grillo Adedolapo

Over five reported cases of suicide involving students has been confirmed as true in Obafemi Awolowo University. The statistics may not be that high for some but judging from the angle that those who are involved are youths who should be the embodiment of the hope this country sorely needs calls for a serious redress of the situation.  Suicide as defined by the dictionary is the “intentional killing of oneself; a particular instance of a person intentionally killing himself or herself”. It is a laughable irony that those who should be the embodiment of hope, leaders of tomorrow should then judge life so hopeless as to take their own.

Suicide do not just occur. It is not instantaneous, magical as to happen with the snap of a finger; it actually is the end result of a long dark road. It is the final destination point of many who have so long trod the tunnels of depression, those who have been bred in its waters, drowned under the weight and burdens of life. Suicide is not the darkness but the light in the dark, the hope through the dark for many travelling down the depression road.  This begs the question, what is depression?

Depression as defined by the dictionary is the “state of mind producing serious, long term lowering of enjoyment of life or inability to visualize a happy future; a period of unhappiness or low morale which lasts longer than several weeks and may include ideation of self-inflicted injury or SUICIDE.” From these definitions we see that for one to commit suicide, it is really plausible that the person goes through the depression stage; not only that, we see depression as a state of mind. The mind must go into a low time zone for depression to occur. This implies that a situation or situations that would cause the mind derail in such a way must happen. In studying many suicide cases, we see that circumstances which could be dating back to several months or some that just occurred is involved. Irrespective of the time-frame, there are always circumstances and justifications for every suicide act committed either by the suicidal person or his/her victims in which case would be family, friends and society at large.

General causes of suicide

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Substance abuse
• Incarceration
• Abuse
• Social loss
• Family history
• Psychiatric disorder

Symptoms

• Social withdrawal
• Dramatic mood swings
• Talking,writing or thinking about death
• Impulsive or reckless behavior
• Increased alcohol or drug use
• Heightened state of anxiety
• Feeling hopeless or trapped
• Impaired concentration
• Saying farewells
• Severe remorse and self-criticism
• Expressing regrets about living.

Solutions

• Family support
• Avoiding isolation
• A well balanced, healthful diet
• Avoiding alcohol and drugs
• Attending a self-help or support group

 

 CASE STUDY: Obafemi Awolowo University

It was one of the three universities in Nigeria founded between 1961 and 1962. Its vice-chancellor is Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede. Obafemi Awolowo University boasts of about 15 faculties with over 30 departments. Regarded as one of the best university in the country, it has a very stressful calendar. There are about 35,000 students in Obafemi Awolowo university.

The reputation of the school is such that graduating students from the school are treated with respect. Many who have come to be part of the school’s tedious environment have come to appreciate whether positively or negatively the grotesque beauty that OAU presents. Let it be stated here that the writer is a member of the school as an undergraduate student studying physics and engineering physics.

Alongside the tedious prospect that academics presents under the auspicious umbrella of Obafemi Awolowo University, there is a fun side to it too as students and lecturers alike have been able to create for themselves avenues to escape the reality of the work they face. It has also had its fair shares of protests and strikes, some which have been peaceful and others violent. Yet with all these, it has managed to keep a structured and cultured environment free from the tenacious vices that plagues other Universities one of which is cultism.

I make allusions to these facts in order to introduce to the reader a parasite. One that slowly gnaws its way into the very heart of the system upon which the school is built. Many would agree that students of OAU has never been known to give in or give up as the case may be to terrible conditions. We have always been able to adapt or fight our way through it. This can be attributed to the legacies left to us by our founding fathers. The spirit and courage to always fight even for the last breath seems to be ingrained in every student of Obafemi Awolowo University immediately their feet step unto the soil.

Hope for something better has been a watchword for so many years even brought to life by the motto of the school: “for learning and culture, sports and struggle.” We live to fight, fight for a better world. The phrase “aluta continua, Victoria ascerta” never leaves our hearts and minds. Yet we have been defeated; defeated by an enemy so calculating, it has waited so long in the shadows and now wriggles its way into the blinding light. It should be of great wonder that a campus which has inspired in many, hope in a better world has already in space of months boasted of over five suicide cases. Why is this a problem?  It is a problem because a person who commits suicide would have us believe that he/she has no hope left in this world. On a campus, where we have been taught to hold on to the tiniest bit of hope that we can find as though it is the last on earth, a campus where struggle for survival has being ingrained in every system and a place that teaches indirectly that the world could be a better place; for such a place, this should be unheard of.  It begs the question of what went wrong? Do we say that the students were not tough enough; do we blame the lecturers or do we blame the system. Many would be loath to blame the system as it would be pointed out that it is the system that has turned out many great names in Nigeria today.

I beg to differ with this argument. In my own point of view, the system is the problem. Many of those who have been turned out of this great citadel of learning have become as twisted as the world can allow one to be. The system does not teach one to live, it teaches to survive. It does not help one to achieve to be the best he/she can rather it helps one discover an alter ego of himself/herself; what he or she could be. It does this by painting illusions, illusions that once a person cannot attain leaves him to question his sanity, usefulness and effectiveness in the competition that so permeates every nook and cranny of the world today. It is the system that encourages sadist lecturers, it is the system that encourages sad students. It is the system that makes it impossible for students to reach out into themselves and become something greater than they already are not something greater than they wish to be.

Causes of suicide

There seems to be no line to differentiate the reasons why these young ones took their lives. It was all because of academic stress. While the case of the part one student who took her life because of CHM 101 test might not be overwhelming, let us turn our gaze to the part five extra year computer engineering student who took his life after failing the same course that gave him the extra year. Were they cowards? Did they not understand that life could be better and that one result or results as the case may be do not or cannot chart the entire course of their lives? This might be questions some people may ask; hell, I did ask myself the same thing but then on looking at it deeper, can we really blame the students who have been made from home to believe that life is all time rosy or those who have been burdened as to believe that failure to pass is tantamount to death and failure in life. Can we blame those who society has made to believe they are outcast and can never achieve anything good in life except if by all means necessary they become what it has laid down for them? Though Obafemi Awolowo University will be the case study, it is a miniature view of the society, the virus that plagues it is a miniature form of the virus that eats and has eaten deep into our society.  My opinion on the problem and cause: THE SYSTEM.

I blame a system that encourages no student to see life for what it truly is, a place to achieve ones dreams, a place to build up oneself, a place for someone to love and be loved. It however makes us see life as a competition, a race, a place where working hard replaces hard work. A place not to build up oneself in his/her image but in society’s image, to be a pawn in the endless cycle of life and death. A system that leaves everyone to be robotically inclined giving us an illusion of freedom yet in reality we are enslaved. Enslaved to principles, ideas that are foreign and has no place for personal growth and development. I blame that system.

I blame a system that imbues lecturers with god-like powers, deciders of the fate of students instead being mentors to them. A system that allows lecturers to view themselves as untouchable and infallible. A system that does not encourage a lecturer to learn but always puts him/her in the right. I blame a system that makes the lecturer forgets what it was to be a student and grants him the power to be judge, jury and accuser. A system that makes them look at students with disdain, not appreciating how much effort has been put into the work but the end result of the work itself. A system that ensures that their lackadaisical attitude to work goes unpunished but God helps any student that shows the slightest hint of being tired. A system whereby would be mentors would not look and encourage talents but would favor one above all in the full glare of the public. A system where rather than help, they worsen the situation imputing mental pressure on students and making them feel as though the world has no place for them. A system where lecturers do not see students as leaders of tomorrow but scum to be toyed with, played with and trampled upon either in words or deeds. I blame this system.

I blame a system that has so imprisoned the minds of tomorrow’s future that they do not see the bonds on their arms and legs. I blame a system that has so ingrained itself into our minds that makes us feel inferior to the white kids outside. A system that makes us appreciate not what we have, but the scraps that has fallen from our master’s table. A system that refuses again and again to allow us to think outside the box but keeps us in it. A system that encourages to look outside for solutions rather than inwards. A system that doesn’t encourage us to see ourselves as brilliant as we truly are but inefficient and would push us that we do not recognize who we are anymore. A system that would so encourage mental stress so much as to push students to commit suicide. A system that refuses to believe it is imperfect and rather makes us see ourselves that way. I blame a system that allows us to agree that we can never be somebody outside it. I blame the system that has made us lose hope leading us to take our lives. A system that has made us submissive to everything so as to achieve anything. I blame the system.

I blame a system that encourages even one’s family to turn against him/her. A system that doesn’t allow the family to view you as anything good except you play its rules and allow yourself to be tainted by its very beliefs. I blame a system that encourages parents to raise the standard so high without considering how high their ward can jump. I blame a system that allows the family to view as unserious one who is not subject to its laws. I blame a system that encourages one to live not for himself/herself but for the good of the family alone. A system that makes and encourages the belief that we are not here to achieve for ourselves, to make ourselves happy and contented but instead to cater for the immediate family alone. A system that encourages the family to view as inept any uncompromising child, that allows them to toss him/her away. I blame that system.

I blame a system that does not help us seek beautiful relation with others except it has some benefits to reap from it. A system that has eroded completely what true friendship means but encourages acquaintances. A system that encourages us to throw away people because they cannot help one to achieve his/her dreams. A system that doesn’t make you think as a helper but a system that always puts us in the position of victims always wanting and needing something, so if you can’t offer it, leave my life. A system that makes it difficult for so called friends to talk to each other, advice each other and know how deep into the waters, the other has descended. I blame a system that has refused to help and encourage good friendship but encourages the belief that we must walk alone and those who should surround you are those who can offer you help to the goal we are blindly rushing unto. I blame this system.

I blame a system that doesn’t encourage good counselling. A system that throws one into the waters of life and expect you to swim ashore. A system that closes its eyes to the many drowning students that are in its gates. A system that refuses to reach each and every student on a personal level and impact them for good. A system that always expect the best yet gives so little. A system that would compare saying that some have gone through it like that and are better off yet it refuses to see that not everybody is wired the same. I blame the system that refuses to lead the way but points one the way not even the right one but one that at the end achieve no peace for the soul. A system that doesn’t seek to encourage but sits aloof while its members struggle for breath. I blame this system.

I blame a system that doesn’t take into serious consideration its health facilities. A system that cannot investigate into what has become a death house rather than one to save life. A system that would rather cover-up wrongdoings instead of looking for solutions to the problem. A system where doctors who should act as the last bridge act out their duties dispassionately.  A system where there is no discussion or real diagnosis of what the problem could be but what it should or might be. A system that encourages its health facilities to chase members of its community away. I blame this system.

I blame a system that has thrown its members to wolves in sheep clothing, those who dress in the garb of God sent messengers but feed on the fears of the unsuspecting members due to the imperfections of the system. A system that looks on as its members are being eaten alive in the doctrines of religious organization. A system that does not seek to ensure that even the religious class meets the academic, mental, psychological, physiological needs of those who are members of its community. A system that encourages hypocrisy and turns its eyes away from the mal-practices of religious groups. A system that seem satisfie3ed with the way people run to the Almighty for all their problems even if they would of course do the same thing. A system that looks on as its members fall to the politricks of these organizations and do not care whether that organization fulfills the4 role it is meant to play. I blame a system that doesn’t checkmate the activities of these organizations, that do not check to see if they love their members or love their numbers. A system that do not care whether the religious group chases after the wellbeing of its members.

Finally, I blame the family, friends, lecturers, student, religious group, health institute, school management who have sat for so long and covered their eyes at the imperfections of the system. Those who have consoled themselves that all would be well; those who believe that since they passed through it, others must do the same; those that have sat for so long and enjoyed the unjust gains that this sytem brings, I blame them all.

 

Solutions

The system is a machine, a big and gigantic one. It spins on and on undisturbed. In order to completely alter the cause of recent events, another cursory look must be taken at the system. It must be broken and rebuilt all over again. There must be a joint understanding by all parties involved to and break the wheel. Depression and suicide is bound to occur should the system be allowed to keep running. Serious altercations must happen to either correct or bring into view an entirely new system.

The school must be encouraged to take a look as to how the school is being run. Their aims and objectives have to be reviewed. Consequently, actions should be taken to ensure that students welfare is topmost on their priority list. Efforts must be taken to ensure that each student is met at their own ability not on a general scale. To whom much is given, much is expected. Results can only be achieved if steps are taken to ensure that the student gets the best.

The lecturers must realize that each student is like an egg. We all look the same but require different forces for us to be cracked open. Students should be treated with respect and love. There should be a relationship between the student and the lecturer outside the classroom. They should view themselves as mentors and should learn everyone’s point of view though the person might be far younger than hi nor her. They must learn never to give up on any student but realize that it is their solemn duty to nurture and build up Nigeria’s future. They must teach us to understand life even at its most basic. They must realize that so far from home, each student needs a father and a mother and they must be prepared to be both. They must realize that their roles is not forever and see that there is wisdom in making things better rather worsening it. They must learn to have compassion and not pity on the plights of student and seek to understand each student at an elementary particle level.

Students must learn to think outside the box. They must learn that when life throws lemonades at them, they do not need to make lemonades immediately they could plant and make a whole garden of it and then water the world with its juice. They must learn to trust in their ability and not think they are inferior. They must learn to appreciate what they have and where they find themselves. They must learn to see hope and learn to share it. They must understand that life is not all rosy and yet that life as difficult as it is, is beautiful. They must learn to fight and struggle not for themselves but for others. They must learn that a failure does not exist except if the person in question has viewed himself/herself as such. They must learn to see each failure as a stepping stone to future success. They must learn and understand that life has more to it than being in school but that the greatest achievement one can make in life is not having the best cars, best girls, best clothes, houses but being able to put a smile on a neighbor’s face.

True friendships must be encouraged. One that seeks to love and nurture, to help grow and help make mature, friendships that encourage and hinges itself on benefits should be discarded and people should seek true relationship with each other. It is only when true friendship is formed that a depressed individual can open up. It is only through true friendship that one can identify the problem. It is only through true friendship that one can seek to help and really dig deep into the problem that another is facing.

Conclusion

It is not an easy thing to break the wheel but it is necessary that it be broken. Breaking it requires total unity of mind. We must acknowledge first the inefficiency of the present system and then effect the changes necessary.

GRILLO ADEDOLAPO O.

PHYSICS AND ENGINEERING PHYSICS,

OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE, OSUN STATE,

NIGERIA.