International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Anxiety and depression are common challenges among university students, often linked to academic pressures, financial strain, and life transitions. However, limited evidence exists on how students in Namibian public universities cope with these difficulties.
Objective: This study explored the coping mechanisms employed by undergraduates in public universities in Namibia, with particular focus on how they respond to experiences of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.
Method: Adopting a qualitative descriptive design, the study explored the coping mechanisms among 13 purposively sampled undergraduates, which established how they cope with anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. Data were collected through interviews and analysed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic framework.
Result: Findings show that emotional distress was frequently associated with academic stressors, childhood experiences, and cultural barriers to open discussion. Students reported a range of coping strategies, including problem-focused efforts to manage stress, seeking peer and informal support, and avoidance behaviours. Unique contribution: By exploring students lived experiences, the study provides context-specific insight into coping practices within Namibian higher education, addressing a gap in locally grounded knowledge. Recommendations: The findings highlight the need for accessible, culturally responsive mental health support and early identification initiatives that encourage timely help-seeking among students. Universities should promote early identification systems through trained staff and peer support initiatives to encourage timely help-seeking.