• YOUTH

Crisis in the classroom

• 17 Hours Ago

In lecture halls, dorm rooms, and library corners across Namibia, a silent crisis is unfolding. Behind the grades and graduation dreams, thousands of university students are quietly battling anxiety, burnout, and emotional exhaustion, with little recognition and even less support.

While higher education promises opportunity, it often delivers crushing pressure, leaving students to navigate the hardest years of their lives without a roadmap for mental well-being.

In a society where mental health remains deeply misunderstood and underprioritised, young people are speaking out, not just for awareness, but for urgent action.

Across the country, students report rising levels of stress, academic burnout, emotional trauma, and social isolation. These challenges are worsened by the country’s traditionally low emphasis on mental health.

“There seems to be a lack of lived-experience integration,” explains Jano Coetzee, a mental health professional. “Students fall through the cracks because support is not ready-made, considering personal experiences.”

Although universities like UNAM offer some support in the form of psychologists or social workers, students often hesitate to engage. “It’s hard to open up to strangers,” one student shared. “So, we either rely on each other or stay quiet.”



Stigma

This reluctance is reinforced by persistent stigma. Mental illness is still misunderstood, with depression mistaken for laziness and anxiety seen as weakness. “Boys don’t share their emotions,” says UNAM student Tjijandjeua Kaanjosa. “We tend to bottle things up, thinking no one cares.”

University student Ludwig Kantene adds, “Some people still think you’re just being dramatic when you ask for help. We need to normalise open conversations and create real support systems.”

The transition from secondary to tertiary education has been flagged as a high-risk period. “Are we teaching students to become contributing adults, or just focusing on academic ‘need-to-knows’?” Coetzee asks. “The gap between systems leaves many unprepared and unsupported.”

Warning signs like social isolation, fatigue, apathy, and group withdrawal are often overlooked. Meanwhile, the role of social media further complicates student well-being. “When not regulated, it can be troublesome, especially for those who struggle to separate media ideals from reality.”

So, what must change?

Experts argue that universities must embed mental health awareness into their core values and curriculum. “Mental wellness should not be a footnote; it should be central to how we educate and support young people.”

Namibian students are not just future workers; they are dreamers and leaders in training. If we truly aim to build a stronger nation, we must invest in their minds and hearts, not just their grades.



Need help?

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, contact LifeLine/Childline Namibia at 061 232 221 or the toll-free crisis line at 116.