Voice out your problems, Nasarawa varsity VC advises women

THE Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, has urged Muslim women to confront depression by reaching out to one another, emphasising that depression is a real issue.

Professor Hassan Liman made the statement at an event organised by the Al-Habibiyyah Women Forum, titled ‘Women and Depression: The Way Out’, which was recently held at the Al-Habibiyah Islamic Society (AIS), Guzape, Abuja.

She explained that problems and worries are major causes of depression and called on people to rally around those experiencing it.

She said, “What I want the general populace, especially Muslim women, to understand is that depression is real. It is a psychological issue and does not mean that the person has become mentally unstable. There are certain things some people can handle, while others may not.

“Life presents many challenges that can lead to depression, and when such situations arise, we must be supportive. We must treat those affected with kindness and empathy.

“We need to recognise that a person in depression may suffer silently, often without their family or close friends even realising it. These individuals need care—psychological care. It’s not about embarrassing them or forcing them to express their emotions, but they may need professional support, whether through therapy or medical treatment.

“Depression is real. I encourage everyone to pay attention to our sisters, mothers, relatives, friends, and the community. If you notice someone withdrawing from social interactions or experiencing unexplained ailments, advise them to seek professional help, particularly in the psychological department of a hospital.”

The National Chief Imam of AIS, Fuad Adeyemi, also spoke at the event, explaining that it was organised to bring women together to discuss common challenges and find solutions.

Adeyemi said, “Women are the backbone of the family, the community, and society at large. They bear the brunt of many challenges and problems that affect a nation or community. By coming together, women can address their issues in a way that others cannot fully understand.

“The recently concluded month of Ramadan has served as a guide for women to unite and make this time even more impactful. They are now ready to implement what they have learned, which will benefit their homes, their communities, and society at large.

“We must also express our gratitude to the media for their support and sacrifice. Al-Habibiyyah has numerous programmes, and without the media’s involvement, many of our efforts would go unnoticed. We deeply appreciate their contributions to our Ramadan programmes.”

“The media plays a crucial role, and we do not take their support for granted. There are many other places they could have been, but they chose to be here with us. We are truly grateful for their recognition of our work.”

The guest lecturer and mental health expert, Hajiya Khairat Haliru, urged women to be supportive of one another.

She encouraged women not to bottle up their problems but to speak out and share them with trusted confidants.

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