SQU study puts spotlight on student mental health

MUSCAT, OCT 14
A study at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) has sparked discussion on social media about student mental health after revealing that more than a third of participating students reported symptoms of depression, highlighting the pressures that can affect university life. The study found that 34.9 per cent of the 1,000 participating students reported depressive symptoms. The highest rates were recorded at the College of Science, at 39.9 per cent, followed by the College of Engineering at 38.5 per cent and the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences at 36.8 per cent.
However, Dr Kholoud al Abri, Director of SQU's Student Counselling Centre, cautioned against generalising the findings to the entire university population, noting that the study involved 1,000 students out of a total student body exceeding 18,000. She stressed that the research should not be considered a comprehensive survey of all university students.
The findings have drawn attention to the academic, social and financial pressures that can affect students' mental well-being. Social media influencer Khalid bin Saif, drawing on his own two decades of experience since university, addressed students in a message encouraging them to appreciate this stage of their lives while taking their mental health seriously. He noted that depression among university students is a widespread concern internationally and regionally, with academic demands, financial difficulties and social and psychological transitions among the contributing pressures. He also highlighted lifestyle factors, including insufficient sleep and poor nutrition, which can compound these challenges.
Khalid encouraged students to exercise regularly, whether through running or walking, and to establish healthier sleep routines. He also called for university policies to consider students facing financial hardship, particularly those who struggle to meet the requirements for monthly financial assistance. He emphasised that prevention is less costly than treatment and that even modest improvements in students' financial circumstances could support academic performance and overall well-being.
Meanwhile, Dr Said al Abri, Assistant Professor at SQU's College of Engineering, has reassured students placed under academic probation that the status does not mean they are poor or failed students. He encouraged them not to panic, stressing that academic probation is a normal situation that students can overcome.
SQU's Student Counselling Centre has announced an online lecture titled 'How to Motivate Yourself When You Lose Passion', to be delivered by Dr Maha al Aani on October 20 at 11 am via Google Meet. The centre also recently took part in a mental health awareness event titled 'The Voice of Experience: A Reality Told and Change Built', organised by the Oman Psychiatric Society (OPS) in cooperation with the Oman Nursing Association and the centre.
Together, these messages underline the importance of accessible support, early intervention and a university environment that considers students' academic progress alongside their mental and financial well-being.