Journal of Counselling and Family Therapy

Effectiveness of Mindfulness Meditation on Reducing Anxiety Among Students

2026-08-01T04:40:00+00:00

Background: Increasing academic demands, competitive learning environments, and uncertainty about future careers have made anxiety a major psychological problem for students. Increasing interest in accessible non-pharmacological approaches to anxiety management is evident, as pharmacological treatments are not always appropriate or available. Mindfulness meditation is considered a promising technique to enhance emotional stability and overall psychological well-being.

Method: The present study was a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test control group. The sample consisted of sixty students aged between 18 and 25 years, who were equally distributed in an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). The experimental group participated in a six-week structured mindfulness meditation program, with approximately 20 minutes of practice per day, while the control group continued to engage in their usual activities without intervention. Anxiety was measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Paired-sample t-tests and independent-sample t-tests were used to analyze changes within and between study groups, respectively.

Results: Students participating in the mindfulness program reported a significant decrease in average anxiety scores from 14.20 at the beginning of the program to 7.10 following the intervention. In the control group, the decrease was small, from 13.80 to 13.10. The statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the two groups (p < .05), suggesting that the intervention was successful in reducing anxiety.

Discussion: The findings indicate that mindfulness meditation may alleviate anxiety by strengthening attentional regulation, enhancing emotional awareness, and promoting acceptance of internal experiences. Regular practice also appeared to improve participants' ability to cope with stress and reduce maladaptive thought patterns, leading to better psychological functioning.

Conclusion: The study shows that mindfulness meditation is an affordable, practical and effective intervention to reduce anxiety among students. Implementation of formalised mindfulness interventions in school settings may lead to better mental health and overall student well-being

Reducing Stigmatization and Criticism Toward the Mentally Ill of Our Community

2026-07-04T09:33:22+00:00

Mental illness affects millions of people worldwide and remains a leading cause of disability and social exclusion. Despite advances in treatment, stigma and discrimination persist as significant barriers to help-seeking, recovery, and social participation. This seminar work examines the nature, causes, and consequences of stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness, focusing on Nigeria’s context and proposing evidence-based strategies to reduce these barriers. With the use of a descriptive, literature-based approach, the study synthesized peer-reviewed articles, policy documents, and global reports published between 2000 and 2024. Findings reveal that stigma occurs at multiple levels, public, self and institutional, and results in reduced access to care, social exclusion, unemployment and violation of subjects’ rights. In Nigeria, stigma is amplified and showcased in cultural beliefs, limited mental health literacy and weak enforcement of mental health legislation. Evidence from the literature indicates that effective strategies include public education campaigns, contact-based interventions, integration of mental health into primary care, media engagement, and legal reforms to protect the rights of people with mental illness. Recommendations emphasize multi-level interventions involving individuals, communities, health systems, and policymakers. Full implementation of Nigeria’s 2023 Mental Health Act, coupled with culturally adapted awareness programs and stronger partnerships among government, NGOs, and community leaders, is critical to reducing the effects of stigma. Therefore, implementing the recommended strategies is convincing to improve access to care, promote social inclusion and enhance recovery outcomes for people living with mental illness in Nigeria and beyond.

Biological Dynamics of Stress Responses: Understanding Fight, Flight, and Freeze Behaviour in Humans

2026-05-30T08:35:54+00:00

Human responses to threat are regulated by integrated biological systems that support rapid adaptation and survival. This study examines the biological dynamics of the fight, flight, and freeze responses, focusing on neural, autonomic, and endocrine mechanisms. The paper reviews the roles of the amygdala in threat perception, the hypothalamus in activating physiological responses, and the prefrontal cortex in behavioural regulation. It further explains the involvement of the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, highlighting the functions of adrenaline and cortisol in stress activation. A conceptual proportional model is presented to illustrate the distribution of fight, flight, and freeze responses in contemporary psychological contexts. The study also discusses the cognitive and emotional effects of prolonged stress, including its influence on attention, memory, and emotional regulation. Additionally, the role of neuroplasticity in modifying stress responses through psychological interventions is highlighted. The findings provide a structured understanding of stress-related behaviour and offer implications for counselling psychology and therapeutic practice.

Influence of Social Networking Platforms on Psychological Well-Being Among B.Sc. Nursing Students

2026-06-01T09:31:36+00:00

Social media has become an integral part of daily life, particularly among students. Nursing students frequently utilize social media for academic and communication purposes. While it offers advantages such as knowledge enhancement and connectivity, excessive use may negatively affect mental health. The study aimed to assess the impact of social media usage on mental health among B.Sc. nursing students. A quantitative descriptive design was adopted among 76 students. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The findings revealed a high impact on knowledge (3.82±0.86), a moderate impact on relaxation (3.50±0.74), connectivity (3.43±1.04), and concentration (3.16±0.90), and a low impact on addiction (2.41±0.85). The study concludes that social media has both positive and negative effects and emphasizes balanced usage. In the modern educational environment, social media platforms are increasingly used for academic collaboration, communication, entertainment, and professional networking. Nursing students, in particular, rely on digital platforms to access educational videos, clinical demonstrations, online discussions, and health-related information. The increased accessibility of smartphones and internet services has made social media usage a regular part of students’ daily routines. Although these platforms support learning and peer interaction, excessive exposure may contribute to stress, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and reduced concentration. Mental health among nursing students is a major concern because of demanding academic schedules and clinical responsibilities. Therefore, understanding the influence of social media on mental well-being is important for developing awareness regarding responsible digital behavior. The present study was conducted among B.Sc. nursing students to assess the impact of social media usage on different dimensions of mental health, including concentration, addiction, relaxation, knowledge, and connectivity. A quantitative descriptive research design was used with convenient sampling techniques. The results indicated that social media positively improved knowledge and connectivity while moderately affecting concentration and relaxation. Addiction levels remained comparatively low among the participants. The study highlights the need for balanced social media usage and suggests educational interventions that promote healthy digital habits among nursing students.

Gaps in India’s Fight Against Sexual Abuse: A Narrative Review

2026-06-20T08:53:29+00:00

Sexual abuse remains a significant public health and human rights concern in India, with far-reaching psychological, physical, social, and legal consequences. Despite legislative reforms and policy initiatives, the burden of sexual violence continues to be substantial, with considerable underreporting and systemic gaps in prevention and response. This narrative review aims to synthesise existing evidence on sexual abuse in India, focusing on prevalence, institutional challenges, legal frameworks, survivor outcomes, and prevention strategies. The review integrates multidisciplinary evidence from peer-reviewed literature, government reports, and international organisational publications. Findings indicate that sexual abuse is highly prevalent, with a significant proportion of perpetrators known to victims, particularly in cases involving women and children. Persistent challenges include underreporting, delayed legal processes, victim-blaming, inadequate support systems, and limited trauma-informed care across institutions. Survivors experience complex and long-term psychological, behavioural, and physical consequences, underscoring the need for comprehensive rehabilitation services. Although India has implemented several initiatives, including legal frameworks such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and various government schemes, gaps remain in accessibility, awareness, and implementation. The review highlights the importance of a multisectoral approach that incorporates prevention, early intervention, survivor-centred care, and systemic reforms. Strengthening institutional capacity, promoting community awareness, and ensuring effective policy execution are essential to address the ongoing challenges and improve outcomes for survivors.