Navigating Shadows: Unpacking the Urgent Mental Health Debate Sparked by the Tragic Incident at Senegal’s UGB

In Senegal, a student’s tragic suicide at the University Gaston Berger (UGB) has cast a harsh spotlight on the often-overlooked issue of mental health. This sobering incident prompts a vital question: How can societies foster environments where psychological well-being is prioritized and stigma dissolved?

The alleged suicide,accompanied by a deeply disturbing letter,has ignited a critical conversation about the struggles faced by Senegalese youth. Psychologist Ngor Dieng offers crucial insights into the challenges and responsibilities of families, universities, and society as a whole in addressing mental well-being. Dieng describes the student’s purported suicide note as a “stunning, overwhelming confession; an chilling life story, symptomatic of all the physical and mental suffering of its author, but especially of extreme despair which marked its last moments of life on earth.”

Dieng emphasizes the letter’s power to challenge societal norms: “It is indeed a confession letter which seems to let the deep causes of his suicide appear in filigree. His letter has the merit of challenging our consciences, inviting the living that we are to make an introspection on our everyday behaviors and attitudes regarding ourselves, from immediate entourage and others.” The letter, according to Dieng, forces a reflection on the importance of attentiveness, benevolence, and the meaning of life itself.

The psychologist highlights the pervasive societal stigma surrounding mental health: “for me, this letter poses the general problem of mental health, a subject hitherto taboo in our society which tends to put the accent more on appearing, the appearance then on the real mental well-being, In a context of social pressures on families and especially on young people.” This stigma,Dieng explains,often leads individuals to seek help from traditional healers rather then qualified mental health professionals.

Dieng points to notable pressures within senegalese society: “We live in a society that does not always have the culture to go see the psychologist in case of difficulties, even if it is a trend that begins to overturn today. …Our society is a company that puts pressure on people that everyone is not ready to endure. It is indeed a society where stress, anxiety, depression, in short, psychological distress are common. It leaves little oxygen puffs to its different components.” The erosion of traditional support systems,coupled with increased social media pressures and a focus on material wealth,exacerbates these challenges.

The importance of accessible psychological care is paramount, Dieng stresses: “Psychological or psychosocial care is fundamental in a society. Life, not being an easy exercise, is made of ups and downs. The individual being as solid as it is indeed fragile has, at times, the need for psychosocial accompaniment to go through challenging periods that can happen to him in his life.” though, access remains limited due to a shortage of specialists, financial constraints, and persistent societal stigma.

Dieng underscores the crucial roles of family and university in preventing future tragedies: “The family before, the family now and the family afterwards! The first pillar of the human being is the family unit. In the family framework, we must strengthen the self-confidence of our children by adopting a benevolent parenting, respecting them and listening to them express their positive as negative emotions, ask their questions and question. The family must be the first comfort of the person.” The university, Dieng argues, must also integrate psychosocial support into its curriculum and establish dedicated mental health services for students.

As for the Senegalese university, it is indeed indeed only the receptacle of the realities of Senegalese society. It must no longer take into account the psychosocial dimension in the lessons-learning. Success in studies is not prerequisite for the educational aspect. It takes into account, in particular, the psychosocial aspect, that is to say mental provisions and social realities in which learners and their teachers bathe. This is why it is necessary to reflect on the creation of services dedicated to the psychosocial care of students in each public university with qualified personnel, that is to say a psychologist, a social worker, in short a specialist in the help of help and support for well-being.These services will play the role of alert and monitoring,to anticipate and avoid this kind of event in the school and university space. And it is quite possible in Senegal with the political will and the support of the state authorities. Ngor Dieng

The tragic event at UGB serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for extensive mental health reform in Senegal, requiring a concerted effort from families, universities, and the government to address the pervasive stigma and improve access to care.