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Abstract
The study investigated academic stress and its effect on the mental health of nursing student in Benson Idahosa University. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted. The objectives of the study were to identify the major academic stressors experienced by nursing students inBenson Idahosa University. The target population comprised of 300 students actively pursuing their nursing education in Benson Idahosa University during the time of the study. A simple random sampling technique was employed in selecting respondents for the study. Instrument for data collection was self-structured questionnaire in two sections. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics which was captured into the IBM Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings of the study revealed depression (42%), anxiety (30%), stress (44%), loss of interest 13%) and general psychological wellbeing in themental health assessment of Benson Idahosa University nursing students and they felt anxious about adapting to university life and completing the curriculum.More than 50% of first and secondyearnursing students experienced depression and required clinical treatment. The study recommended that educational institutions should establish proactive and easily accessible support services that target academic stress and mental health concerns. Regular workshops, counseling services and stress management programmes should be established to equip nursing students with coping strategies and create a conducive environment for seeking help.
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