SOCIO-ACADEMIC CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES ON PREVALENCE OF SUICIDAL IDEATION AMONG SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN OYO STATE

Abstract

The issue around suicide ideation (SI) among special needs students in Nigerian tertiary institutions seems under-researched, and this prompts the need to examine the prevalence of SI among special needs students in tertiary institutions, socio-academic causes, consequences and preventive measures. Descriptive research design was employed and data were collected from 200 special needs students purposively sampled across tertiary institutions in Oyo State with the aid of SI inventory. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Findings revealed a prevalence of SI with high evidence among 50.5% of the respondents. Socio-academic causes of SI included repeated academic failure, negative teacher attitudes and bullying, while the socio- academic consequences included social withdrawal and isolation, declining academic performance and consideration of school dropout. Finally, socio-academic preventive measures should include the introduction of policies against bullying, inclusive classroom environments, peer support programs, and academic flexibility. It is therefore recommended that collaborative effort be made between tertiary institutions and the society at large on taking steps for holistic focus on the socio academic wellbeing of special needs students. This should concern all stakeholders including parents, lecturers, management and the policy makers.