COUNSELLING STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING SUICIDAL BEHAVIOUR AMONG STUDENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION AND STUDENT WELL-BEING

Abstract

Suicidal behaviour among students in tertiary institutions has become a significant public health, educational, and psychosocial concern in Nigeria. University and college students face numerous stressors, including academic pressure, financial hardship, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, relationship difficulties, social isolation, and uncertainty about future employment. These challenges increase the risk of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and completed suicide among vulnerable students. Guidance and counselling have emerged as critical interventions for preventing suicidal behaviour because they address the emotional, cognitive, behavioural, and environmental factors associated with suicide risk. This paper reviews counselling strategies for addressing suicidal behaviour among students in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Specifically, it discusses early identification and suicide risk assessment, individual counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, crisis intervention counselling, group counselling, psychoeducation, peer support programmes, family counselling, referral services, and digital counselling interventions. The paper adopts a narrative review approach based on scholarly literature and empirical studies. It concludes that strengthening institutional counselling services and integrating comprehensive mental health programmes into tertiary education will significantly reduce suicidal behaviour and improve students' psychological well-being.