The Role of School Guidance and Counselling in Promoting Mental well-being and Critical Thinking among junior Secondary School Students in Anambra State
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61227/arji.v8i2.783Keywords:
Guidance and counseling, mental well-being, critical thinking, high school students, Anambra StateAbstract
Guidance and counselling at school is critical in improving the mental health and critical thinking skills of junior secondary school students. The current research involved a descriptive survey design, which included all of the teachers in the public secondary schools. A sample size of 118 teachers was used. This information was collected using a structured questionnaire administered using the Google Forms platform, and the results were rated in a 4-point Likert scale. The reliability of the instruments was determined by a pilot study, which produced a Cronbach alpha of 0.85. Findings show that guidance and counselling services play a key role in promoting the mental health of students through the emotional support they offer, stress management techniques, and coping. Besides, organised counselling programmes encourage building of critical-thinking capabilities, which help pupils to develop logical thinking, decision-making abilities, and problem-solving skills. This research suggests that more finance should be allocated, more parents should be involved, and policy solutions should be implemented to strengthen school counselling programmes in the State of Anambra.
Downloads
References
Abeshi, C. L. (2025). The role of counselling in promoting economic growth and development in Nasarawa state. Kontagora journal of intellectual discourse, 3(1), 242-250.
Agustin, M., Setiyadi, R., & Puspita, R. D. (2020). Burnout profile of elementary school teacher education students (ESTES): Factors and implication of guidance and counseling services. PrimaryEdu: Journal of Primary Education, 4(1), 38-47.
Agyapong-Opoku, G., Agyapong, B., Obuobi-Donkor, G., & Eboreime, E. (2023). Depression and anxiety among undergraduate health science students: a scoping review of the literature. Behavioral Sciences, 13(12), 1002.
Akanwa, A.O., Iko-ojo, I.V., Ezeomedo, I.C., Ikegbunam, F.I., Igwe, P.U., Muoghalu, L.N., Okeke, S.O., Okonkwo, A.U., Odimegwu, C.N., Nkwocha, K.F. and Arah, V.C., 2024. Effects of climatic risks on soil Erosion/desertification in southern and northern Nigeria using GIS/remote sensing analysis. In Climate crisis: Adaptive approaches and sustainability (pp. 151-170). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
Akgun, S., & Araz, A. (2014). The effects of conflict resolution education on conflict resolution skills, social competence, and aggression in Turkish elementary school students. Journal of Peace Education, 11(1), 30-45.
Anakpua, B.C., Inweregbuh, O.C., Odimkpa, C.O., Enemuo, C.J., Ofozoba, C.A., Isidi, P.A., Muogbo, U.F., Nnalue, O.H., Obiadazie, R.E. and Okudo, O.C., 2025. Enhancing STEM Education Through AI-Driven Service-Learning: Fostering Student Understanding of Nanotechnology-Based Green Materials For Sustainability. International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 11(20s), p.2025.
Arfasa, A. J., & Weldmeskel, F. M. (2020). Practices and challenges of guidance and counseling services in secondary schools. Emerging science journal, 4(3), 183-191.
Bako, A. J., Nguikyom, A. B., & Ibrahim, A. P. (2025). Role of school counsellors in promoting mental health and well-being among adolescents. IJCPHD, 1(3).
Eke, C. J. (2023). Incoporating peace education in the secondary school curriculum: a measure for conflict resolution and sustainable development in Africa. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Journal of Arts and Social Science Education, 3(1), 49-56.
Enemuo, C. J., & Muogbo, U. F. (2023). Extent of awareness and adoption of zoom technology in teaching and learning among lecturers’ in colleges of education, Anambra state. Int'l Journal of Education Research and Scientific Development, 2(2), 12-12.
Enemuo, C. J., & Muogbo, U. F. (2025). Digital divide in the provision of ethical and values education: re-engineering for sustainable national development. UNIZIK Journal of STM Education, 8(2), 49-57.
Enwere, C. A., & Iloakasia, A. J. (2025). Integrating Counseling into the Elementary School Curriculum Implications for Building a Strong Educational Foundation. Journal of Indonesian Primary School, 2(4), 22-37..
Falloon, I. R., Laporta, M., Fadden, G., & Graham-Hole, V. (2023). Managing stress in families: Cognitive and behavioural strategies for enhancing coping skills. Routledge.
Fris, D. A., van Vianen, A. E., Koen, J., de Hoog, M., & de Pagter, A. P. (2022). Medical students’ career decision-making stress during clinical clerkships. Perspectives on Medical Education, 11(6), 350-358.
Hines, E.M., Moore III, J.L., Mayes, R.D., Harris, P.C., Vega, D., Robinson, D.V., Gray, C.N. and Jackson, C.E., 2020. Making student achievement a priority: The role of school counselors in turnaround schools. Urban Education, 55(2), pp.216-237.
Kofoworola, A. B., & Rofiu, N. (2024). Exploring the Effectiveness of Premarital Counselling in Reducing Divorce Rates in Nigerian Marriages. Jus Corpus LJ, 5, 515.
Lacson, J., Kilag, O. K., Sasan, J. M., Groenewald, E., Vidal, E., & Ponte, R. (2024). The Crisis: An In-Depth Analysis of the Shortage of Guidance Counselors and Its Impact on Student Suicide Rates in Philippine Schools. International Multidisciplinary Journal of Research for Innovation, Sustainability, and Excellence (IMJRISE), 1(1), 129-135.
Morah, J. N., Ofozoba, C. A., Nwobu, C. M., & Obi, C. J. (2022). Knowledge of social science education: A panacea for employability in Nigeria’s development sector. COOU Journal of Educational Research, 7(1), 52-63.
Munonye, C. C., Ohaegbu, P. N., Chukwu, I. N., Ifebi, O. C., & Odimegwu, C. N. (2022, September). Upper limit of acceptable temperature for children in naturally ventilated classrooms in warm humid climate in Imo State, Nigeria. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 1054, No. 1, p. 012055). IOP Publishing.
Muogbo, U. F., & Nnoli, J. N. (2025). Negative influence of ICT on academic performance of junior secondary school students in Nnewi North LGA of Anambra State. Unizik Journal of STM, 8(2).
Muogbo, U. F., Muogbo, U. S., & Enemuo, C. J. (2025b). Entrepreneurship and Security Solution toward Millennium Development Goals: Assessing the Effect of Entrepreneurial Education on Secondary School Students’ Ability to Address Economic Security Challenges in Anambra State, Nigeria. Journal of Gender and Millennium Development Studies, 2(2), 129-141.
Muogbo, U. F., Okafor, U. T., & Okafor, C. F. (2025a). Impact of experiential learning strategy on secondary school students’ academic achievement in computer studies in Nnewi Education Zone, Anambra State. Indonesian Journal of Innovative Teaching and Learning, 2(2), 125–134.
Ngozi, M. J., & Eke, C. J. (2023). Influence of teacher-student relationship on secondary school students’ study habits in Enugu-north local government area, Enugu state. Journal of Educational Research, 8(1).
Nkosi, N., & Maweni, V. (2020). The effects of overcrowding on the rehabilitation of offenders: A case study of a correctional center, Durban (Westville), KwaZulu Natal. The Oriental Anthropologist, 20(2), 332-346.
Odimegwu, C. N., & Ikeotuonye, C. M. (2023, October). Climate Change Adaptation: Climate Change Education And Real Estate Resilience In Anambra State, Nigeria. In FESCON Conference Proceedings (Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 21-35).
Odimegwu, C. N., & Ikeotuonye, C. M. (2023, October). Climate Change Adaptation: Climate Change Education And Real Estate Resilience In Anambra State, Nigeria. In FESCON Conference Proceedings (Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 21-35).
Okafor, C. F., Enemuo, C. J., Anakpua, B. C., Muogbo, U. F., Okpara, B. A., Francis-Mario, C., & Umezulike, F. O. (2023). Blended learning for enhancing mathematics retention and conceptual understanding: Implications for STEM teachers. Nanotechnology Perceptions, 19, 1-10.
Okafor, J. I., Ugonabo, C. U., & Ikeotuonye, C. M. (2022). Comparative Analysis of Neighbourhood Characteristics of Residential Neighbourhoods in Awka. International Journal of Current Science (IJCSPUB), 12 (1).
Okechukwu, N. C. (2026). Correlation Between Availability of Counselling Laboratories and Clinical Competence on Counselling Education Curriculum Development and Research Integration among Public Universities in Nigeria. Federal University Gusau Faculty of Education Journal, 6(1), 252-258.
Okemgbo, C. N., Kutey, D., & Odimegwu, C. (2002). Gender role ideology and prevalence of violence against women in Imo State, Nigeria. Journal of Sociology, 2(1), 24-54
Onu, D. U., Obi-Keguna, C. N., Onyishi, E. I., & Igwe, E. J. (2025). Does perceived social support buffer the impact of psychological distress on health-related quality of life among people living with tuberculosis?. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 1-21.
Onwuka, S. U., Ezigbo, C. M., & Eneche, P. S. U. (2017). Assessment of noise pollution from power generating sets: a case study of Nnewi-North LGA, Nigeria. Journal of Scientific Research & Report, 16(3), 1-12.
Rasmussen, E. E., Shannon, K. L., & Pitchford, B. (2022). Adolescents’ disclosure of mental illness to parents: Preferences and barriers. Health communication, 37(3), 346-355.
Shanta, S., & Wells, J. G. (2022). T/E design based learning: assessing student critical thinking and problem solving abilities. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 32(1), 267-285.
Wambu, G. W., & Fisher, T. A. (2015). School Guidance and Counseling in Kenya: Historical Development, Current Status, and Future Prospects. Journal of Education and practice, 6(11), 93-102.
Zolkoski, S. M., Bullock, L. M., & Gable, R. A. (2016). Factors associated with student resilience: Perspectives of graduates of alternative education programs. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth, 60(3), 231-243..
Additional Files
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Authors

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Similar Articles
- Abamba, Deborah Chibuzor, Arubayi D.O , Influence of Students' Interests and Counseling Services on Subject Area Specialization Preferences Among Home Economics Students in Colleges of Education in Delta State , Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI): Vol. 6 No. 3 (2024): Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI)
- Cynthia Magdalena Marpaung, Carolina Pakpahan, Rina Octavia Simarmata, The Effectiveness of Using Retelling Story Technique Through Pictures Series Media on Speaking Ability of Students of Grade 10th Mariana Catholic High School Medan , Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI): Vol. 7 No. 2 (2025): Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI)
- Zuhura R. Said, Prospery M. Mwila, Effect of HIV/AIDS education on changing students' sexual practices in secondary schools in Temeke Municipality, Tanzania , Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI): Vol. 7 No. 1 (2025): Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI)
- Franklin Nnanna Ibe, Bernadette A. Ezeliora, Chinyere F. Okafor, Effect of Think-Pair-Share Instructional Strategy on Secondary School Students’ Academic Achievement in Chemistry , Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI): Vol. 6 No. 4 (2024): Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI)
- Michael Ejike Meze , Ekene Ekemezie, Sustainable Market Strategies as Correlates of Human Capital Development: Empirical Evidence from Tertiary Institutions in Anambra State, Nigeria , Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI): Vol. 6 No. 3 (2024): Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI)
- Regina Ijeamasi Enebechi, Assessing Students’ Biology Interests and Perceived Teacher Effectiveness in Rural Communities: Implications for Rural Biology Education , Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI): Vol. 8 No. 1 (2026): Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI)
- Nopa Nur Khadriah, Nanda Rezky Ramadhani, Nuril Laili Qomarul Husna, Nurul Dwi Novita, Oktavia Intan Isyadi, Nurul Azizah, Riyan Terna Kuswanto, Experimentation of the Auditory, Intellectuality, Repetition Model : How are Students' Analytical Abilities in the Material on the Success of the Prophet Muhammad SAW ? , Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI): Vol. 7 No. 3 (2025): Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI)
- Shukuru Lukas, Prospery M. Mwila, Status of Kiswahili Remedial Teaching Exercise in Public Secondary Schools in Temeke Municipality, Tanzania , Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI): Vol. 7 No. 2 (2025): Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI)
- Orajekwe Veronica Ngozi, Enhancing Qualitative Health Education Achievement Among Secondary School Students in Anambra State Through Cooperative Learning Method , Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI): Vol. 7 No. 2 (2025): Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI)
- Salem Aladi, Sami Barkah, Philosophical Inquiry in the Age of AI and digital technologies: Critical Thinking Pedagogy for Digital Natives , Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI): Vol. 8 No. 1 (2026): Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI)
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.


