The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Counselling Centre (KCC) in partnership with Johnson and Johnson held an Academic Life Seminar for Students and an introduction session on Resilient Minds Future Leaders Programme. The seminar was held at the Great Hall on 15th March 2024.
The Head of KCC, Mrs. Victoria De-Graft Adjei, highlighted KNUST’s collaboration with Johnson & Johnson to launch the Resilient Minds initiative. She explained that the Resilient Minds Future Leaders Programme is a mental health initiative of Johnson & Johnson and KNUST aimed at addressing prevalent mental health issues among students. She emphasised the significance of nurturing resilient mindsets to attain academic and personal goals.
Professor Wilson Agyei Agyare, Director of the Directorate of Student Affairs (DoSA), showed appreciation to the Johnson & Johnson team for coming on board to promote students' wellbeing. He hoped that the programme would be impactful and urged the students to make good use of their time as they participate in the Seminar.
Rev. Professor Frances Emily Owusu-Ansah, representing the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ellis Owusu-Dabo, expressed profound appreciation for the collaborative efforts aimed at addressing mental health challenges. She highlighted the importance of prioritising mental health management, citing statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) that ‘13% of Ghanaians suffer from mental health issues.” She, therefore, called on all participants to actively engage in the programme to effectively help reduce mental health challenges within the University community.
An alumnus of KNUST, Mr. Emmanuel Asante Antwi, the Key Account Manager of Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership. He applauded the Resilient Minds as a groundbreaking initiative aimed at increasing awareness of mental health disorders within the University community. “Our ultimate goal is to reduce stigma, improve overall health and enhance the quality of life for all members of the University.” He reaffirmed their commitment to improving mental health. “By working hand in hand, we can empower future generations to live healthier and more resilient lives,” he asserted.
Mr. Rabbi Darko, Counsellor for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, shared knowledge on “Becoming a Grade ‘A’ Student.” He urged the students to set clear goals and develop effective study strategies. He emphasised the importance of consistency, proactive planning, and efficient time management in achieving academic excellence.
Ms. Akua Afriyie Addae, a Clinical Psychologist at DoSA, delved into “Identifying and Supporting Peers in Distress.” She outlined common causes of distress among students such as financial problems, broken homes, relationship problems, addiction and outlined a framework for recognising those in distress, responding to, and referring individuals in need of support. She stressed the significance of observing behavioural patterns and symptoms indicating distress and encouraged students to seek assistance from counsellors and peer support networks.
The programme also featured a short video presentation showcasing the objectives and goals of the Resilient Minds Future Leaders initiative, further emphasising the commitment of both KNUST and Johnson & Johnson to fostering a mentally resilient environment on campus. The Resilient Minds programme aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3): Good Health and Well-being. It also seeks to build the capacity of healthcare professionals and boost avenues for early mental health interventions.
