ROLE OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING IN OBVIATING SUICIDE IN UNIVERSITIES IN ENUGU STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the role of guidance and counselling in obviating suicide among undergraduates in universities in Enugu State. The study was guided by three research questions. The study adopted descriptive research design. The target population for the study comprised all the 55,992 undergraduates of University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) and Enugu State Universities of Science and Technology (ESUT). A sample of 560 respondents was drawn using proportionate stratified random sampling. A trial test was conducted and used for reliability testing using Cronbach Alpha reliability estimate. Reliability indices of .60, .69 and .79 were obtained for parts 1, 2, and 3 respectively, while the overall reliability index stood at .80. This, the researcher regarded to be high enough and so went ahead to use the instrument to collect the main data for the study. The researcher administered the self-structured questionnaire to the respondents while the data generated was analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Four point scale response format was used to measure the opinion of the respondents, such that after the statistical analysis, real limit of members were used to determine the decision rule. The result obtained from the analysis showed that Guidance and counselling to a great extent obviate emotional problem, suicidal thoughts and depression among undergraduates in universities in Enugu State. Based on these findings the researcher recommended among others that Guidance and counsellors should constantly admonish students against suicidal thoughts in universities in Enugu State