THE ROLE OF X (FORMERLY TWITTER) IN ADDRESSING GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER AMONG STUDENTS OF LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY, OJO.

ABSTRACT Mental health is an essential component of student well-being, significantly impacting academic performance, social relationships, and overall quality of life (Corrigan, 2017). This study examines the influence of social media, particularly the role of Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI) on X (formerly Twitter) in raising awareness and shaping perceptions of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) among students of Lagos State University. The research seeks to assess the level of awareness, evaluate the effectiveness of social media as an educational tool, understand how social media knowledge influences help-seeking behaviors, and measure student engagement with GAD-related content. The study is guided by two key theoretical frameworks: the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Social Support Theory. The Health Belief Model explains how individuals are more likely to take preventive health action such as seeking help if they perceive a personal risk, understand the severity of the condition, and believe that taking action will be beneficial. Social Support Theory emphasizes the role of peer and community support in mental health outcomes, particularly in online environments. These frameworks offer insight into why some students engage with GAD content and support systems while others remain passive or disengaged. A quantitative research method was adopted using a structured online questionnaire distributed to 348 students across arts and humanities departments. The findings reveal that while 51.3% of respondents have heard of GAD, nearly 69% report poor or non-existent understanding. Furthermore, only 1.1% of students frequently encounter GAD-related content on social media, while 78.7% rarely or never do, indicating a gap between awareness and active engagement. Students showed a strong preference for short-form video content (e.g., TikToks and Instagram Reels), with over 70% stating they sometimes or always engage with such formats to learn about GAD. The study concludes that social media, though a powerful tool, is currently underutilized in mental health education for university students. Low engagement levels are tied to stigma, content fatigue, and the mismatch between content delivery methods and students’ consumption habits. To bridge this gap, the study recommends the use of culturally sensitive and interactive content formats, such as short videos, polls, and student-led discussions. Collaboration between universities, mental health organizations like MANI, and social media influencers is also advised to normalize mental health conversations, improve literacy, and reduce stigma. Word Count: 324 Keywords: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Mental Health Awareness, Social Media Influence, Health Belief Model, Social Support, Nigerian Students, MANI, Stigma Reduction.