Reframing Student Mental Health and Well-Being in Post-Pandemic Education: A Global Opinion Grounded in Evidence

Isaac John Ibanga; Stephen Z. Kumazhege; Egunsola Abraham Olawuyi Emmanuel

doi:10.56741/IISTR.bei.001889

Authors

Isaac John Ibanga
isaacjohn@mau.edu.ng
Modibbo Adama University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8285-6109
Stephen Z. Kumazhege Modibbo Adama University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0976-291X
Egunsola Abraham Olawuyi Emmanuel Modibbo Adama University https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0911-6367

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56741/IISTR.bei.001889

Keywords:

Cyberbullying, Digital Overload, Global Education, Post-Pandemic Education, Psychosocial Support, Student Mental Health, Well-Being

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly reshaped global education systems, not only disrupting learning processes but also intensifying long-standing concerns regarding student mental health and well-being. This article offers an opinion-based scholarly analysis supported by contemporary literature to critically examine the escalating mental health challenges faced by students in the post-pandemic era. Key issues include the surge in anxiety and depression, heightened academic pressure, digital overload, and the growing prevalence of bullying and cyberbullying. Drawing upon global evidence, this paper argues that educational systems have been insufficiently responsive to the psychosocial dimensions of learning, particularly in contexts where stigma and limited institutional support persist. Using a conceptual framework that integrates individual, pedagogical, digital, and systemic factors, this article synthesizes empirical findings and policy discourses to illuminate structural gaps in current educational practices. The results and discussion are organized into three thematic sub-sections addressing post-pandemic mental health trends, digitalization-related stressors, and systemic barriers to student well-being support. The paper concludes by advocating for a paradigm shift toward holistic, inclusive, and culturally responsive mental health strategies within education, emphasizing the urgency of embedding psychosocial well-being as a core educational priority rather than a peripheral concern.

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Author Biographies

Isaac John Ibanga, Modibbo Adama University

is a scholar, researcher, and lecturer in the Sandwich Degree Programme of the Faculty of Education at Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. He specializes in Electrical Technology Education, with academic interests centered on technical and vocational education, skills development, and technology-based learning. Through teaching and research activities, he is committed to strengthening practical and professional competencies among learners and contributing to the advancement of electrical technology education in higher education institutions. (email: isaacjohn@mau.edu.ng)

Stephen Z. Kumazhege, Modibbo Adama University

is an accomplished academic and researcher in the Department of Technology Education at Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. He holds a PhD in a technology education–related field and specializes in instructional design, educational technology, curriculum integration, and teacher professional development. His research focuses on innovative teaching approaches, technology integration, and learning outcomes. He is dedicated to bridging academia and industry through collaborative partnerships that enhance educational quality and societal development. (email: skumazhege@gmail.com)

Egunsola Abraham Olawuyi Emmanuel, Modibbo Adama University

is a lecturer in the Department of Vocational Education at Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Nigeria. He is a dedicated educator and prolific scholar with numerous publications in vocational education. His academic interests include vocational skills development, teacher training, and educational research. In addition to teaching and research, he actively mentors students and contributes to university administration through committee work, demonstrating strong commitment to academic leadership and institutional development. (email: rregunsola2010@yahoo.com)

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