EFFECTIVENESS OF SCHOOL COUNSELLING PROGRAMMES ON STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH IN IJEBU NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL AREA

The study examined the effectiveness of school counselling programmes on students’ mental health in Ijebu North Local Governmental Area. Convenience and purposive sampling methods were used to select 120 pupils from senior secondary schools from each of the six areas making up the local government. Out of the 120 questionnaires distributed, only 116 were filled correctly by the respondents in the study area. Correlation and ordinary least squares (OLS) methods were used to analysed the data collected from the field survey. Based on demographic factors and mental health, the analysis found no significant correlation between mental health outcomes and various demographic factors such as age, gender, grade level, and religion. This suggests that mental health challenges are prevalent across different demographic groups, emphasising the need for universal mental health interventions. On the impact of school counselling programmes on mental health outcomes, the result showed that participation in school counselling programmes was shown to significantly improve mental health outcomes. The results indicated that students who engage in counselling are likely to experience better mental health, highlighting the effectiveness of these programmes in providing essential support. Also, on school counseling activities and symptoms of mental illness, the study revealed that school counselling activities significantly reduce symptoms of mental illness among students. This finding underscores the importance of integrating counselling activities into school curricula as a proactive measure to address mental health issues. Lastly on perceived effectiveness of counselling and stress levels, a significant relationship was found between the perceived effectiveness of school counselling programmes and levels of stress. Students who viewed counselling as effective reported higher stress levels, indicating a complex interaction that suggests greater awareness of mental health challenges. The study recommended that schools should prioritise the integration of comprehensive counselling programmes. This includes hiring qualified mental health professionals and providing ongoing training to ensure counselors are equipped to address a variety of mental health issues. Promote awareness of counselling services among students, parents, and staffs. Regular workshops, information sessions, and promotional materials can help demystify counseling and encourage students to seek help when needed.