Effectiveness of Student Guidance and Counseling in addressing Mental Health among University students in Public Universities in Kenya

Main Article Content

Annelyne Chepchirchir Too https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6392-8995
Remi Odero Orao https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6730-4875

Keywords

Student Guidance and Counseling, mental health, university students, effectiveness,, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

The study examined the effectiveness of student guidance and counseling in addressing mental health among university students in public universities in Kenya. The study was anchored on Person-Centered Theory, which explains psychological well-being as a product of empathy, unconditional positive regard, and supportive helping relationships. A descriptive survey design was adopted. Data were collected from 225 students and 25 university counselors using questionnaires and interview guides. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings indicated that 62.22% of students were aware of SG&C services, while 56.21% confirmed that awareness programs were conducted by counselors. Orientation programs (43.12%) served as the main source of information on counseling services. Depression (36.05%) and anxiety (22.96%) were the most prevalent mental health challenges, followed by interpersonal problems (19.63%) and suicidal ideation (12.55%). Only 41.79% of students sought counseling services, although 95.85% of those who accessed services reported receiving effective help and rated the services as useful. Interview findings supported quantitative results, highlighting high effectiveness among engaged students, strong institutional support, but persistent barriers such as stigma, limited staffing, and low help-seeking behavior. The study concludes that SG&C services are effective in improving mental health outcomes among students who access them, though utilization remains relatively low. Strengthening awareness, expanding counseling capacity, and reducing stigma can improve service uptake and mental health outcomes in universities.

Abstract 5 | PDF Downloads 0

References

American College Health Association. (2015). National College Health Assessment II: Reference Group Executive Summary Spring 2015. Hanover, MD: American College Health Association.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America. (2015). Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: A fact sheet. https://adaa.org

Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors. (2016). The 2016 annual survey of counseling center directors. https://www.aucccd.org

Atwarter, R. (2003). The impact of college transition on student mental health. Journal of College Student Development, 44(6), 711-726

Bachmann, S. (2018). Epidemiology of suicide and the psychiatric perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(7), 1425. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15071425

Bani, M., Zorzi, F., Russo, S., Ardenghi, S., Rampoldi, G., & Strepparava, M. G. (2024). What happens then? A 6-month follow-up on students accessing a university counselling service. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 24(3), 962–971. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12756

Bantjes, J., Kessler, M. J., Hunt, X., Stein, D. J., & Kessler, R. C. (2023). Treatment rates and barriers to mental health service utilisation among university students in South Africa. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 17(1), 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-023-00605-7

Bilsen, J. (2018). Suicide and youth: Risk factors. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 540. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00540

Broglia, E., Ryan, G., Williams, C., Fudge, M., Knowles, L., Turner, A., Dufour, G., Percy, A., & Barkham, M. (2023). Profiling student mental health and counselling effectiveness: Lessons from four UK services using complete data and different outcome measures. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 51(2), 204–222. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2020.1860191

Casey, B. J., & Caudle, K. (2013). The teenage brain: Self-control. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 22(2), 82-87. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721413480170

Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Drapeau, C. W., & McIntosh, J. L. (2014). U.S.A. suicide 2014: Official final data. Washington, DC: American Association of Suicidology.

Drum, D. J., Brownson, C., Burton Denmark, A., & Smith, S. E. (2009). New data on the nature of suicidal crises in college students: Shifting the paradigm. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 40(3), 213-222. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014465

Elliot, A. J., McGregor, H. A., & Thrash, T. M. (2002). The need for competence. In E. L. Deci & R. M. Ryan (Eds.), Handbook of self-determination research (pp. 361-387). Rochester, NY: University of Rochester Press.

Erickson, A., & Abel, N. R. (2013). A high school counselor's leadership in providing school-wide screenings for depression and enhancing suicide awareness. Professional School Counseling, 16(5), 283-289. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759X1701600501

Felmlee, D., & Sprecher, S. (2000). Close relationships and social psychology: Intersections and future paths. Social Psychology Quarterly, 63(4), 365-376. https://doi.org/10.2307/2695846

Granello, D. H., & Granello, P. F. (2010). Suicide: An essential guide for helping professionals and educators. Boston, MA: Pearson.

Greco, C., Innamorato, F., Liccione, D., Figini, S., & Barone, L. (2025). Changes in mental health and academic engagement following brief university counseling: Practice-based evidence from a pre-post study. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-025-08344-3

Hafiz, A. (2021). Factors affecting mental health of university students in Pakistan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 1901. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041901

House, J. S., Landis, K. R., & Umberson, D. (1988). Social relationships and health. Science, 241(4865), 540-545. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.3399889

International Association for Suicide Prevention. (2014). World suicide prevention day 2014. Retrieved from https://www.iasp.info/wspd2014.php

James, R. K. (2013). Crisis intervention strategies (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Julal, F. (2013). Stress and adjustment among first-year university students in Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 3(1), 1-8.

Kanga, J. M. (2017). Effectiveness of guidance and counselling services in public secondary schools in Nairobi County, Kenya. International Journal of Education and Research, 5(7), 57-70.

Kellie, K., & Sharell, L. (2014). Interpersonal stress and well-being in college students. Oakland University.

Kenya Mental Health Policy 2015-2030. (2015). Ministry of Health, Government of Kenya. https://www.health.go.ke
Kenyan Commission for University Education. (2013). Guidelines for student guidance and counseling in institutions of higher learning. https://www.cue.or.ke

King, C. A., Arango, A., & Ewell Foster, C. (2018). Emerging trends in adolescent suicide prevention: From the lab to the community. The American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 55(3), S266-S275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2018.05.033

Kohongeh, J. (2019). Suicide among university students in Kenya: Causes, implications, and interventions. Journal of Counseling and Development, 97(2), 180-190. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12248

Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research methodology: Methods and techniques (2nd ed.). New Delhi, India: New Age International.

Li, Y., Wang, A., Wu, Y., Han, N., & Huang, H. (2022). Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of college students: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 669119. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.669119

Management Study Guide. (2020). Interpersonal relationship - Definition and importance. Retrieved from https://www.managementstudyguide.com/interpersonal-relationship.htm

Ming, C. Y. (2010). Factors influencing the formation of romantic relationships among university students in China.
Asian Social Science, 6(4), 115-121. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v6n4p115

Mugenda, O. M., & Mugenda, A. G. (2003). Research methods: Quantitative and qualitative approaches. Nairobi, Kenya: Acts Press.

Mugotitsa, B., Momanyi, R., Kuria, J., Amadi, D., Masai, J., Angula, E., Tsofa, B., Greenfield, J., Todd, J., & Kiragga, A. (2025). Understanding mental health among university students in Kenya: What role do family support and age play? Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1557058. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1557058

Mwangi, C. N., Okatcha, F. M., Kinai, T. K., & Ireri, A. M. (2015). Relationship between study habits and academic achievement among secondary school students in Kiambu County, Kenya. International Journal of School and Cognitive Psychology, 2(2), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.4172/2469-9837.1000165

National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2015). Mental health facts: Children and teens. https://www.nami.org
National Center for Health Statistics. (2016). Suicide and self-inflicted injury. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/suicide.htm

Ndanu, M., Odera, P., & Onyango, G. (2022). Effectiveness of guidance and counselling services in public secondary schools in Kisumu County, Kenya. Journal of Education and Practice, 13(2), 1-9.

Negash, A., Khan, M. A., Medhin, G., Wondimagegn, D., Pain, C., & Araya, M. (2021). Feasibility and acceptability of brief individual interpersonal psychotherapy among university students with mental distress in Ethiopia. BMC Psychology, 9(1), 64. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-021-00570-1

Odhiambo, O. K., Otedo, A. E., Esther, N., & Bisji, J. S. (2025). Prevalence of Mental Health Distresses Among Students at the Kenya Medical Training College, Nairobi Campus. Prevalence, 12(3).Prevalence of mental health distresses among students at Kenya Medical Training College, Nairobi Campus. Texila International Journal of Public Health. https://www.texilajournal.com/thumbs/article/Academic_Research_Vol12_Issue3_Article_9.pdf

Omondi, P., & Mutua, R. (2017). Counseling support and psychological well being of students at University of Nairobi. International Journal of Psychology, 2(1), 1–13. https://www.iprjb.org/journals/IJP/article/view/394

Onyekuru, B. U., & Ibegbunam, J. O. (2015). Counselling services and students' academic performance in senior secondary schools in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. International Journal of Education and Research, 3(2), 601-610.

Orbuch, T. L., Veroff, J., Hassan, H., & Horrocks, J. (2002). Who will divorce: A 14-year longitudinal study of black couples and white couples. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 19(2), 179-202. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407502192002

Pederson, A. B., Burnett-Zeigler, I., Fokuo, J. K., Wisner, K. L., Zumpf, K., & Oshodi, Y. (2020). Mental health stigma among university health care students in Nigeria: A cross-sectional observational study. Pan African Medical Journal, 37(5). https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2020.37.5.24898

Purnomo, H., & Azhar, M. (2025). The effectiveness of guidance and individual and group counselling services on the mental health knowledge among undergraduate and postgraduate students. Asian Journal of Social Science and Management, 12(1), 1–13. https://so06.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/asi/article/view/268566

Rogers, C. R. (1942). Counseling and psychotherapy: Newer concepts in practice. Houghton Mifflin. https://archive.org/details/counselingpsycho00roge

Rogers, C. R. (1951). Client-centered therapy: Its current practice, implications, and theory. Houghton Mifflin. https://archive.org/details/clientcenteredth00roge

Rogers, C. R. (1957). The necessary and sufficient conditions of therapeutic personality change. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 21(2), 95–103. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0045357

Rogers, C. R. (1961). On becoming a person: A therapist's view of psychotherapy. Houghton Mifflin. https://archive.org/details/onbecomingperson00roge_0

Sawahel, W. (2019). Tackling the suicide crisis among university students. University World News. Retrieved from https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20190416084024362

Simon, V. A., & Barrett, A. E. (2010). Romantic relationships and emotions among young adults. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 27(4), 469-493. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407510363508

Stebbins, R. A. (2015). Interpersonal relations. In Leisure and positive psychology (pp. 49-62). Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137440587_4

Suicide Prevention Resource Center. (2014). Suicide prevention toolkit for high schools. Retrieved from https://sprc.org/resources-programs/suicide-prevention-toolkit-high-schools

University of Cape Coast. (2012). Student orientation handbook. Cape Coast, Ghana: University of Cape Coast

Wanyoike, J. (2014). Suicide among university students in Kenya: Causes, implications, and interventions. Journal of Counseling and Development, 92(1), 11-18. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00124.x

Wanyoike, J. (2015). Addressing the suicide crisis in Kenyan universities. International Journal of School and Educational Psychology, 3(2), 95-103. https://doi.org/10.1080/21683603.2015.1011441

Wao, H., Wao, M. A., Muriithi, I., Seraii, P., & Syonguvi, J. (2025). Availability, accessibility, and utilization of mental health services or support among university students in Africa: A mixed methods systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-synthesis. BMC Psychiatry, 25(1), 75. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07529-1

Ward, S. F., & Odegard, M. A. (2011). Implementing suicide prevention programs: Considerations and strategies. Journal of Professional Counseling: Practice, Theory & Research, 38(2), 24-34. https://doi.org/10.1080/15566382.2011.12033869