Guidance Services and Mental Health of Secondary School Students in Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between guidance services and the mental health of secondary school students in Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District, Nigeria. Three research questions and three corresponding null hypotheses guided the conduct of the study. A correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of 21,625 senior secondary two students in public secondary schools in the Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District, Nigeria. A sample of 496 Senior Secondary Two students was selected for the study using a multistage sampling procedure to ensure adequate representation. A researcher-made instrument titled “Guidance Services and Mental Health of Secondary School Students’ Questionnaire” (GSMHSSSQ) was used for data collection. The face validity of the instrument was established by experts in guidance and counseling and measurement and evaluation at the University of Uyo, Nigeria. The reliability of the instrument was determined using the internal consistency method, which yielded an overall reliability index of 0.76. The research questions and their corresponding hypotheses were answered and tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistics. The results revealed a significant relationship between orientation, counseling, placement services, and the mental health of secondary school students. Based on the findings, it was concluded that guidance services such as orientation, counseling, and placement services play a significant role in influencing the mental health of secondary school students. Three relevant recommendations were made, among which is that guidance counselors should be employed in public secondary schools in the Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District and should partner with the Counselling Association of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, to provide comprehensive information on mental health, coping strategies, and available support services to empower students to maintain and improve their mental health.