By PRECIOUS BONDURANG
They smile in the lecture halls, post selfies with beautiful captions and wear confidence like perfume. Yet, behind those filters often lies a different story. A tale of anxiety, burnout, loneliness and the silent pressure to hold it all together.
Welcome to campus life, where everyone is striving to win, but few are willing to talk about the weight they carry. Life on campus isn’t just about books and vibes. From deadlines to departmental drama, from social expectations to family responsibilities, students juggle more than just assignments. The need to perform, look good and always appear ‘okay’ can be overwhelming. On social media, everyone seems to be doing well. But that’s not always the truth.
My turning point came when I attended a mental health awareness programme organised at the Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, which featured Mrs. Kaneng Rwang Pam, Chief Executive Officer of KRP, FEMA, and Pharmacist Dorcas Lohdip of the Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos. The speakers shared powerful insights about how stress, anxiety and bottled-up emotions often build into serious mental health struggles among students.
Listening to their messages — and to other students who courageously opened up about their experiences — gave me the strength to finally speak about mine.
“Sometimes I cry in my room, wipe my tears, and go to class like nothing happened,” I confessed. “I feel overwhelmed, but I don’t want anyone to see me as weak. Regardless, the journey has to continue.”
For many of us, that silent struggle is real. Jennifer, a 200-level student from the Department of Nursing Science, shared her own story: “I failed a course last semester and couldn’t sleep for days. But I still kept posting memes and acting like life was sweet and okay.”
That constant pressure to appear perfect is mentally draining. Many students feel anxious, depressed or stuck. But they choose silence out of fear of being judged, misunderstood or ignored.
Why no one talks about it
In our society, mental health is often brushed aside. People say things like, “Just pray about it” or “You’re too young to be tired.” So, instead of speaking up, most students bottle it all in. Even those who want to seek help don’t always know where to go. Some universities have counselling units. But many students either don’t know about them or simply don’t trust them.
Mrs. Kaneng Rwang Pam, during the PLASU awareness session, emphasised the need for open conversations and early intervention. She urged students to prioritise their well-being just as much as their academic goals. Similarly, Pharmacist Dorcas Lohdip highlighted that neglecting mental health could affect one’s physical health, academic performance and overall outlook on life. Their words resonated deeply with many of us in the audience.
Real talk: It’s okay not to be okay
Mental health is just as important as physical health. Feeling anxious, sad or overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re weak. It simply means you’re human.
Personally, what helped me most was talking to a friend. “She didn’t judge me,” I recalled. “She just listened. That was all I needed at that time to feel better.” Sometimes, the simplest acts of understanding can make the biggest difference.
We don’t have to pretend to be fine all the time. The truth is, everyone is going through something, even those who look like they have it all figured out. What we post online is often only half the story.
So, let’s check in on one another. Let’s make it normal to say, “I’m not okay.” Healing begins with honesty — and no filter can fix what we hide inside.
A few mental health tips for students
Talk to someone — it could be a friend, mentor or counsellor.
Take breaks when you feel overwhelmed.
Avoid comparing yourself to others online.
Get enough sleep and eat well.
Remember, asking for help is strength, not weakness.
And, above all, “Giving up is never an option. Hold on tight and you’ll be fine.”
Bondurang is a Mass Communication student with the Plateau State University, Bokkos, on IT with THE NIGERIA STANDARD