ROLES OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING IN THE PREVENTION OF SUICIDE AND SUICIDAL IDEATION

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the roles of guidance and counseling in the prevention of suicide and suicidal ideation among undergraduates in the University of Benin. To guide this study, four research questions were raised. The survey research design was used in conducting the study. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire titled ”Role assessment of school Counselors and Leaders ChenHayes, Ockerman and Mason (2014) and the suicide Behaviour QuestionnaireRevised (SBQ-R) (Osman et al. (2001)”. The population for the study was estimated to seventy-seven thousand (77,000) undergraduate students from eightytwo (82) departments of University of Benin. A sample of two hundred (200) students were randomly selected for the study. The data obtained from the questionnaires were subjected to descriptive analysis using mean and standard deviation. Results from the data obtained revealed that the level of suicide and suicidal ideation is moderate, school counsellors actively engage in the prevention of suicide and suicidal ideation, school counsellors continuously design counselling programmes using data insights, provide guidance on time management, conduct timely appraisals, and regularly assess programme effectiveness on a quarterly basis to prevent suicide and suicidal ideation and cultivate a diverse and inclusive 10 environment, advocating for social acceptance and multicultural awareness among the University of Benin city students. Based on the findings of this study it was recommended that although the level of suicide and suicidal ideation among undergraduate students at the University of Benin is moderate, there is a need for the continuity of intervention activities that could reduce this to the barest minimum and cultivation for a more inclusive environment, advocating for social acceptance and multicultural awareness.