SHADOW PANDEMIC AND SUICIDAL IDEATION AMONG STUDENTS IN LAGOS STATE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS: COUNSELLING FOR ATTITUDINAL CHANGE

Abstract

This research examines the impact of the shadow pandemic on the prevalence of suicidal ideation (SI) among students in Lagos State Tertiary Institutions. The issue of suicidal thoughts being a new wave among undergraduate students metamorphosed into suicidal attempts leading to suicide on campuses and the heifer society. With the use of the Shadow Pandemic and Suicidal Ideation Inventory (SPSII), the research adopted the descriptive correlational design to elicit information about shadow pandemics and suicidal ideation among students in tertiary institutions. The sample for the study comprised 145 participants that were randomly selected from the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos State University of Education, Otto-Ijanikin, and Lagos State University, Epe campus. SPSII reliability coefficient using Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient was 0.89. The instrument was administered individually in a group counselling setting. Data collected were analysed using the Percentages, Pearson Product Moment correlational coefficient and ANOVAfor stated hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The result revealed that there is a significant relationship between the shadow pandemic and suicidal ideation and SI was not based on age groups. Therefore, counselling for attitudinal change was recommended in order to expose the students to coping strategies and reduce the impacts of SI on students.