In the journey of life, disappointment is often seen as a common detour—something everyone experiences at one point or another. But for some, disappointment becomes more than a momentary setback. It becomes a mental health crisis.
This was the case for Basola, a young graduate from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), who almost lost his life—not to illness or an accident, but to hopelessness. After completing his studies, Basola looked forward to serving his country through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)—a step that would validate years of sacrifice and open doors to future opportunities.
But when the mobilization list was released, his name was missing.
The reason? An unresolved issue with his Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) entrance details. A technicality. A bureaucratic snag. Something that could have been resolved early on, had the system worked efficiently.
For Basola, it felt like everything had fallen apart. After four years of study, dedication, and personal investment, he was told that a clerical error might cost him not just a year of service—but his future. The emotional burden grew unbearable. Depression crept in. Anxiety took root. And thoughts of suicide followed.
This isn’t just about NYSC. This is about mental health—a topic too often ignored in the conversations around student life and educational challenges.
The Silent Strain on the Mind
For students and young graduates, academic life is not just about passing exams. It’s about building a future. Every form filled, every course completed, every credit earned represents effort, dreams, and expectations. So, when something as foundational as JAMB registration becomes a stumbling block—especially after graduation—the psychological impact can be devastating.
Disappointment of this scale isn’t “just emotional.” It affects the mind, body, and behavior. It can lead to:
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Chronic stress and insomnia
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Loss of self-worth and identity
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Panic attacks and anxiety disorders
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Depression and suicidal ideation
Yet, very little support exists within the system to handle these emotional and psychological consequences. Students are told to “sort it out,” “wait for the next batch,” or “go to Abuja.” These statements, though casually offered, often ignore the mounting mental health cost of uncertainty and helplessness.
Institutional Disappointment Is a Health Crisis
Basola’s story sheds light on a larger, more dangerous pattern—institutional disappointment. When administrative bodies like JAMB, universities, or NYSC fail to communicate, coordinate, or respond swiftly, students bear the brunt. This failure doesn't just derail timelines—it can derail lives.
The human mind is wired to strive, to hope, to expect. When that hope is repeatedly met with silence, delay, or rejection, the brain interprets it as trauma. And trauma, especially untreated, does not fade—it festers.
What Needs to Change
To protect the mental health of students and graduates like Basola, the following must become priorities:
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Mental health support centers within tertiary institutions
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Clear, transparent communication from JAMB, universities, and NYSC
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Proactive counseling services during mobilization seasons
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Emergency mental health hotlines for students in distress
A Message to Students Facing Disappointment
If you're going through a similar struggle—whether due to JAMB, delayed results, missing mobilization, or university bureaucracy—know that your pain is valid. You are not weak. You are not alone. What you feel is not “too much”—it is a natural response to an unnatural system failure.
Reach out. Speak up. Mental health is not a luxury—it’s your foundation.
Final Thoughts
Basola’s story could have ended in tragedy. Thankfully, it didn’t. But for many others, the combination of academic pressure, administrative failure, and lack of support is a ticking time bomb.
We must stop treating institutional disappointment as a minor inconvenience and start recognizing it as the mental health crisis it truly is. Because in the end, systems don’t suffer—people do.
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