Many students in tertiary institutions across the country have either attempted suicide or committed it. They commit suicide as a result of depression arising from frustration, failed promises, inability to pay tuition, academic failure, among others.

Recently, a National Diploma 1 Marketing student of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Yaba, Lagos, attempted suicide.

The student was said to have been dumped by her boyfriend, and went to her hostel to drink a chemical substance suspected to be sniper. But she was quickly rescued following an alarm raised by her roommate.

Speaking the spokesperson of the institution, Mr. Joe Ejiofor, said: “She attempted to drink Sniper and her friend quickly notified her colleagues who took her to the medical centre. She has a domestic problem which made her run into depression. She even took a picture of herself while taking the substance.

However, suicide among students remains a worrisome issue that needs to be properly addressed. Students believe the leadership of all tertiary institutions need to tackle it headlong by coming up with deliberate and effective measures.

Gabriel Alison, a 400-Level student of Federal University, Oye Ekiti, said frustration from meeting school demands can make students resort to suicide.

Advising school authorities, he said: “To stem the tide, schools should set up a functional counseling department, where students can speak with professional counsellors in confidence.

For Charles Ademola, a 300-Level student at Obafemi Awolowo University,Ile-Ife, Osun State, there is no justifiable reason for a student to commit suicide.

According to him, poor schooling system, grading system, pressure from lecturers, are the major causes of suicidal thoughts on campus.

While admonishing students never to think of committing students, but allow God’s plan come to fulfilment, urged that school system be made favourable for students to help them build and balance their mental health.

“Well, if the schooling system can be made favourable, less stressful, but is that possible? So, if the university environment can be made conducive for students to understand and build on what they are taught, maybe students will do well.

On her part, Omowumi Fasina, a fresh graduate of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, said inability to handle lack of love and challenges from families and friends sometimes lead to depression which could make one opt for suicide.

She urged institutions to establish functioning counselling units that give audience to students and allow them speak out their minds.

Daniel Okewusi, a student of Urban and Regional Planning at Obafemi Awolowo University, stated that orientation programmes through the creation of functional guidance and counselling department that is accessible by students remained a good solution to end suicide in higher institutions of learning.

According to Boluwatife Adedokun, a student at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, failure in exams, broken relationships, among others, are major causes of suicide.

“A student attempted suicide when I was in 200-Level just because he failed a course. Poor result is one of the major reasons students commit suicide these days. Many students also commit suicide because of failed relationship. They over-think and fail to look at what is waiting for them in the future,” she said.

Meanwhile, she advised that suicide is never an option in these cases, adding that schools should familiarise students with counselling unit so they can lodge any complaint.

Ajayi Praise Mayowa, a 400-Level student at Lagos State University (LASU), said: “There are so many reasons why anyone would attempt suicide; students inclusively. There are so many reasons anyone could want to end his or her life.

“I personally, have been depressed and I tell you, the thought of suicide was not far-fetched. It took the grace of God and intervention by friends, family members, organisation and so on to stop it.