ROLE OF DIGITAL MEDIA IN PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS AMONG JABU UNDERGRADUATE

In recent years, mental health issues have become increasingly prominent among university students, and digital media has emerged as a crucial tool for raising awareness and offering support. The objectives of this research were to assess the current level of mental health awareness among JABU students, explore how digital media contributes to that awareness, determine its effectiveness in reducing stigma associated with mental health, and examine the extent of student engagement with digital media platforms related to mental health. This study investigates the role of digital media in promoting mental health awareness among undergraduate students of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, and a sample size of 339 respondents was selected using Taro Yamane's formula and proportionate stratified sampling from three colleges: Humanities and Social Sciences, Law, and Health Sciences. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, and 310 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics via SPSS. Findings revealed that a significant number of students were aware of mental health issues and recognized the importance of digital media in disseminating information. Social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube were the most used for accessing mental health content. The majority of respondents agreed that digital media plays an effective role in reducing stigma and fostering more open conversations around mental health. Furthermore, students actively engaged with mental health content, especially during academic pressure periods. The study concludes that digital media serves as a vital tool in enhancing mental health awareness among university students and recommends increased institutional collaboration with digital platforms to further mental health education.