Perspectives of college students on the causes and prevention of suicide in Nigerian universities

Abstract

We explored how university students make sense of suicide experience and prevention. Informants were 20 students attending a public university in Nigeria (females = 50%; age range = 19 to 46 years). The students completed a semi-structured interview on the causes and prevention of suicide in the university they attended. Thematic analysis indicated the students perceived suicide experience to be from relationship, infrastructure, living conditions, and mental health challenges. The students perceived the suicide risk factors as preventable and remediable with appropriately targeted student support-oriented resources.