Venue
University’s Cedi Auditorium at the main campus, Sokode-Lokoe, Ho
Start Date
The School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences (SBBS) at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) held a seminar on Thursday, August 14, 2025 under the theme, ‘Managing Stress for Academic Success at the University’s Cedi Auditorium at the main campus, Sokode-Lokoe, Ho.
The event which demonstrated the University’s unwavering commitment to students’ mental health, brought together students across the various schools of the University, marking a significant milestone in UHAS’ holistic approach to education.
The Dean of SBBS-UHAS, Professor Seth Kwabena Amponsah, the Chairperson of the event, in his remarks, underscored the University's recognition of the fact that academic excellence cannot be divorced from mental wellness and called on participants to take good advantage of the seminar.
The Lead Facilitator of the Seminar, Dr. Emmanuel Dziwornu, a Senior Lecturer at UHAS School of Medicine, expatiated on the intersection between academic pressure and mental health, the multifaceted nature of students’ stress, academic pressure sources, among others and identified parents, teachers and peer competition as the primary contributors to stress in students.
Dr. Dziwornu said there are mental health determinants like biological and social factors that serve as psychological mechanisms underlying academic stress and a personal mastery of these can provide students with a framework for understanding their own experiences.
Dr. Dziworno extensively addressed mental health challenges prevalent among university students like depression, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, sexual disorders and substance abuse among students, emphasizing the importance of professional support. He asserted that stress-induced burnouts are caused by unmanaged work-related stress, identifying relationship difficulties, lack of control, insufficient reward and physical factors as key contributors to this increasingly common phenomenon among students.
Giving the seminar a practical value, the Lead Facilitator recommended the identification of personal stress triggers and replacing unhealthy coping mechanisms as vital measures for managing overall stress levels. According to him ‘’Recognizing what stresses you is the first step towards effective management.’’ He also provided the ‘4 As’ of stress management, a practical framework designed to empower students with concrete tools for stress navigation. They are (1) Avoid unnecessary stress through careful priority management; (2) Alter stressful situations where possible through proactive problem-solving; (3) Adapt to stress by adjusting expectations and perspectives; (4) Accept unchangeable circumstances whilst focusing on controllable responses.
The seminar featured an interactive session that provided participants with the opportunity to open-up on varied experiences.
By creating open dialogue on mental health challenges and providing students with evidence-based stress management techniques, SBBS and for that matter UHAS, demonstrates its commitment to nurturing not just academic achievements but holistic personal development of students.