Abstract
This study explored the mental Health Challenges faced by college students and the impact of childhood Trauma on Adult Mental Health. Four (4) research questions guided the study, aiming to identify the common mental health challenges faced by college students, to find out the extent college students face Mental Health Challenges, to identify the common Trauma Experiences faced by adults during their childhood and to determine the Impact of Childhood Trauma on Adult Mental Health. The study reviewed literature on the concept of mental health, concept of childhood trauma, common mental health challenges among college students, prevalence and extent of mental health challenges in college students, common trauma experiences faced by adults during childhood and impact of childhood trauma on adult mental health. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design.
The population of the study consisted of all the undergraduate students of University of Benin, the multi stage sampling technique was used to select 200 students from 5 Faculties in the University. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire, the Cronbach alpha reliability test was employed and a reliability coefficient of 0.744 was obtained. The instrument was administered by the researcher to the respondents, the data collected was collated and analyzed using descriptive statistics.
The findings of the study were as follows; Anxiety, Attention Deficit, Depression, Suicidal Ideation and Social Isolation are the common mental health challenges are faced by college students. College students face mental health to a high extent Physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, verbal abuse and social exclusion are the common trauma experience faced by adults during their childhood. Childhood Trauma has an impact on Adult Mental Health Based on the findings, the following recommendations are proposed:Universities should invest in comprehensive mental health services that address the diverse needs of college students, including counseling, therapy, and support groups. These services should be easily accessible and destigmatized to encourage help-seeking behavior.Institutions should implement prevention and early intervention programs aimed at promoting mental health awareness, resilience, and coping skills among college students. These programs can include workshops, seminars, and peer support initiatives. Health education initiatives should facilitate the creation of peer support networks or support groups where students can connect with others who may be experiencing similar mental health challenges. Peer support can provide a sense of belonging, reduce feelings of isolation, and offer valuable emotional support and validation. Health education programs can organize peer-led discussions, group activities, or wellness events to foster a supportive community environment.
