Top University Reacts To Attempt By Student Suicide Attempt, Unveils Plan To Help Victim And Other Students

Cursory: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has provided prompt medical and psychological assistance to a student following a suicide attempt. The university activated counseling programs, and established other avenues to aid financially disadvantaged students. KNUST encourages students to seek help, offers scholarships, and discourages suicide as a solution.

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has responded to a recent incident involving a student’s suicide attempt. The student, Kwadwo Asare Konadu Gyamfi, left a note before attempting to jump from an eight-story building but was saved by friends and a security guard.

KNUST’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dr. Daniel Norris Bokeo, confirmed that the student received immediate medical attention and psychological counseling at the KNUST Hospital. The student is currently in a stable condition and under observation.

Dr. Bekoe addressed speculations about academic pressure at KNUST contributing to the student’s possible psychological breakdown, stating that it was not the case. The university has activated its existing counseling programs to support not only students affected by the incident but also others.

“KNUST has one of the most comprehensive counselling programmes with almost 14 experienced counsellors deployed across the Directorate of Students Affairs and the six colleges who are ever ready to attend to the needs of all students.

“We have also trained peer counsellors who are part of the students. Additionally, we have appointed Hall Tutors for all off-campus hostels to ensure that a senior member is closer to the various communities-Aydiuase, Bomso, Kotei, etc,” he told YEN.com.gh.

Dr Norris Bekoe also said the university acknowledges there are brilliant but needy students on campus, the school has established a food and clothing bank to solicit food items and clothes to support students “who come from difficult backgrounds”.

The Tertiary Students Confederacy (TESCON) KNUST initiated the Sanitary and Food Bank to alleviate hardship among vulnerable students, specifically those in the university.

Furthermore, KNUST has taken steps to bridge the digital divide by providing nearly 2,000 students with new laptops through partnerships with organizations such as Stanbic Bank, Ecobank, Standard Chartered Bank, SIC, AngloGold, and Zoomlion.

In his words:

“In terms of bridging the digital divide, the University has so far supported almost 2,000 students with brand new laptops through the benevolence of our partners like Stanbic Bank, Ecobank, Standard Chartered Bank, SIC, AngloGold, Zoomlion, and many others.”

He told YEN.com.gh that it is unfortunate that the student’s mental condition would make him want to take his life. Dr Bekoe said the university operates an open-door policy and advised students to approach management with any problem they might have for assistance.

“We also have different scholarships available to support students. No one should [take his own life] due to the challenges of life because they are temporary,” he advised students on campus.

Source: yen.com.gh

Read Also: 17-year-old student commits suicide over failure to pass exam in Kwara

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