Mind your mental health, ASUU President charges varsity workers, students
By Abubakar Imam
The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Chris Piwuna, has encouraged staff members and students of universities and other institutions of higher learning to always be mindful of their mental health to ensure adequate productivity.
Prof. Piwuna gave this advice last Wednesday (August 19, 2026) while presenting a paper at the 37th Annual General Assembly of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) hosted by the University of Ilorin.
The ASUU President, who is also an expert in Psychiatry, said that it is imperative for both staff and students to be vigilant about their mental wellbeing as he explained that poor mental health would certainty affect productivity.
Prof. Piwuna explained that it is not only substance abuse that impairs mental health, saying that stress from whatever source can also lead to a mental breakdown.
The ASUU President said that mental disorder often begins with an anxiety disorder and gradually assumes grave proportions.
He noted that while we may readily recognise cases requiring emotional support – such as the death of a relative, accidents, and the likes – we hardly ever detect an imminent breakdown occasioned by childbirth-induced conditions (postpartum depression), financial crisis, workplace stress, family disputes, and so forth.
Prof. Piwuna explained that if an employee informs his employer or supervisor that he or she is emotionally disturbed or stressed, the employer will scarcely countenance it, explaining that, that is why an employee seeking leave of absence on such grounds will hardly be given due consideration.
He, therefore, said that it is incumbent upon employees who experience nervous breakdowns, or perceive signs of an impending breakdown, to present themselves promptly at medical facilities for proper diagnosis.
Prof. Piwuna concluded that a hospital report will, assuredly, be taken into account by any reasonable employer.
