“Dear all. I’ve had to step aside from my pursuit of my PhD at Michigan State University because of mental health concerns”, is the way this PhD student put it.
He made the announcement in statement posted on his LinkedIn page on Sunday, saying that the decision had been triggered, “honestly, by the discovery of the fact that I lack the passion and capacity for academia,”
Rather than continue in the country, he said he was returning to his native Ghana to begin a new chapter of his life
“Dear all. I’ve had to step aside from my pursuit of my PhD at Michigan State University because of mental health concerns, which was triggered, honestly, by the discovery of the fact that I lack the passion and capacity for academia,” he wrote.
“It’s been a difficult period for me but as they say, God knows best. I’m returning to Ghana and hoping to start life afresh.
“I would really appreciate it if you can help me secure a well-paying sports writing or broadcasting job based on my CV on here. Thanks very much to all my connections for supporting my short-lived PhD journey. God bless,” he stated.
Anaman also appealed to his professional network to help him secure employment in sports journalism or broadcasting, saying he was seeking a well-paying job based on his CV.
Highlightig his achievements in sports journalism, writing of three books and winning two of the most prestigious awards in his field in Ghana, he queried:
“Have you ever seen a sports journalist in Ghana’s history who has written three books and won the two most prestigious awards in his field?”
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), multiple factors affect mental health.
“The more risk factors adolescents are exposed to, the greater the potential impact on their mental health.
“Factors that can contribute to stress during adolescence include exposure to adversity, pressure to conform with peers and exploration of identity.
“Media influence and gender norms can exacerbate the disparity between an adolescent’s lived reality and their perceptions or aspirations for the future.
“Other important determinants include the quality of their home life and relationships with peers. Violence (especially sexual violence and bullying), harsh parenting and severe and socioeconomic problems are recognised risks to mental health”, the organisation says.
READ ALSO: Factors Spiking Nigeria’s Mental Health Challenges Identified
READ ALSO: Mental Health Challenge: Can Your Dietary Habits Be Of Help?
According to it, some adolescents are at greater risk of mental health conditions due to the following:
- Their living conditions
- Stigma
- discrimination or exclusion,
- or lack of access to quality support and services.
These include adolescents living in humanitarian and fragile settings; adolescents with chronic illness, autism spectrum disorder, an intellectual disability or other neurological condition; pregnant adolescents, adolescent parents, or those in early or forced marriages; orphans; and adolescents from minority ethnic or sexual backgrounds or other discriminated groups.
