Gambling losses, tuition difficulties, academic pressure and relationship problems are among the challenges affecting university students’ mental well-being.
Makerere University student Mordecai Elijah Eyobu says some of his classmates are struggling to cope with campus life. Financial distress and unhealthy coping mechanisms, he says, can make those difficulties worse.
Eyobu says some students gamble money intended for tuition, hoping to win enough to meet their financial obligations. When they lose, they may find themselves in even greater distress.
“Some of our colleagues cannot do without these things, and they have affected their way of life here at school, making them unable to execute their duties very well,” Eyobu says.
Nevertheless, the pressure intensifies as examinations approach. Students who have not paid tuition risk being barred from exams, a concern for some facing Gambling-related issues.
“When you don’t have tuition and the exams are getting closer, and they are chasing you out of the exam room, the next thing you would think of is how can I get out of this situation?” he says.
Fear of missing examinations or falling behind academically can add to students’ financial worries and leave them unsure where to turn.
Eyobu also identifies substance use, social media habits, disagreements between students and lecturers, conflicts among students and relationship problems as issues that can interfere with students’ well-being and academic responsibilities.
Kasifah Birungi, chairperson of the Serenity Oasis Mental Health Club at Makerere University, says some students struggle to adjust because they are not adequately prepared for the independence and responsibilities of adulthood.
“When our parents assume that we are at campus, we are grown-ups, yet they have not prepared us for that independence, it becomes confusing for the students,” Birungi says.
She says parents can help prepare young people by teaching practical skills, encouraging open communication and helping them build confidence to manage challenges.
At university, students often need to manage money, organize their studies, and prepare meals.
They interact with people from different backgrounds and build new social networks.
Moreover, they must decide about social lives, relationships, and personal responsibilities, often with less supervision.
Gambling decisions, when relevant, add another layer of responsibility.
For students who have had limited opportunities to develop these skills, the transition can be difficult, especially when they are also expected to meet academic and financial obligations.
Birungi is also concerned about young people carrying unresolved childhood experiences into adulthood without safe spaces to talk about them. Providing school fees, food and other necessities, she says, is not enough. Children also need emotional support and guidance on coping with disappointment, conflict and responsibility.
Mental health workers say demand for care is growing, while stigma continues to prevent some people from seeking professional help.
Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital has reported bed occupancy at 200 per cent of its designated capacity. James Rodgers Nsereko, a principal clinical psychologist and head of the hospital’s Community and Recovery Department, describes the situation as alarming.
“The situation is alarming these days. Currently, as I speak, the bed capacity of Butabika has come to 200 per cent,” Nsereko says.
The figure suggests the hospital is accommodating twice its designated bed capacity, Gambling data aside.
However, the exact number of beds and patients, and the period covered by the reported occupancy, were not provided.
Nsereko identifies substance use as one concern associated with mental health difficulties. He says some people began using marijuana and other substances during the COVID-19 pandemic to cope with fear and anxiety, and that continued use contributed to addiction in some cases. Some patients later develop psychosis and require hospital treatment, he says.
The effects of substance use vary from person to person, and its relationship with mental illness can be complex. Nsereko also points to inadequate funding as a challenge for mental health services. He says academic competition can affect learners’ well-being, particularly when the pursuit of high grades comes at the expense of sleep and rest.
“If you don’t sleep, you are affecting the processes of the brain,” he says.
Sleep supports concentration, memory and learning. Students who regularly sacrifice it to study or meet deadlines may find it harder to concentrate and cope with pressure. Nsereko says he has contributed to Ministry of Education and Sports guidelines on managing learners in schools and hopes that implementing them will improve students’ mental health.
He also raises concerns about parental rejection, neglect and family break-ups, particularly when children’s distress is dismissed rather than addressed. Supportive relationships and safe environments, he says, can help young people discuss their difficulties without fear of being judged or ignored.
Dorothy Kibone, a psychiatric nurse at Kisubi Hospital, says the number of people seeking mental health care there has risen from about 10 when the service began to more than 50 patients a month. She says stigma remains a major barrier, preventing some people from talking about their struggles or seeking professional help.
“Our drive basically comes from the silent people who are dying in our city because of the stigma that they get from other people. They can’t speak up freely,” she says.
Fear of being judged, misunderstood or treated differently can discourage people from speaking with family, friends or health professionals. As a result, some may try to cope without the support they need.
Kibone says Kisubi Hospital provides mental health services for people experiencing conditions such as anxiety and depression, as well as children with developmental conditions, adolescents and older people who need psychiatric assessment. Outpatient services are available from Monday to Friday, and the hospital also provides inpatient care and follow-up reviews.
The rise in monthly attendance suggests increased demand at the facility, but the figures alone do not show whether mental illness is becoming more prevalent. Increased awareness, improved access to care and other factors could also affect how many people seek treatment.
The experiences described by students and health workers point to the need for prevention, early assessment and accessible treatment. For students, gambling losses, substance use, academic stress and relationship difficulties can compound one another. Financial worries may add further pressure when students fear missing examinations or failing to complete their courses.
Universities can support student welfare by recognizing these pressures and making clear where students can turn for help. Parents can help prepare young people for adulthood by offering emotional support and teaching practical skills, as well as providing material necessities. Open conversations may also make it easier for young people to seek guidance when they face difficulties.
Health facilities need adequate resources to care for people requiring specialized treatment. The reported bed occupancy at Butabika and the increase in monthly attendance at Kisubi Hospital underscore the importance of access to appropriate care.
Families, friends and institutions can also help reduce stigma by treating mental health difficulties with understanding rather than shame, and by encouraging people to seek professional assistance.
Awareness alone will not resolve these challenges. Families, educational institutions, health facilities and communities all have a role in recognizing distress, supporting those affected and helping people access care.
For students struggling to balance academic demands, financial difficulties and personal relationships, recognizing when they need help can be an important first step. For those who stay silent for fear of judgment, mental health workers emphasise that seeking professional assistance is a step towards getting support.
