Abstract:
The study explored the effect of suicidal ideations and mental health among students of private
universities in Uganda; a case study of Cavendish and Ndejje Universities. The study was guided
by the following objectives; to examine the effects of thoughts of death and dying on students’
mental health in the selected private universities in Uganda; to assess the influence of hopelessness
on students’ mental health in the selected private universities in Uganda; and to identify various
suicide prevention programs and interventions in selected private Universities in Uganda. The
study applied a descriptive research design with both qualitative and quantitative methods used.
The study used questionnaire and interview guide in collecting data from the field. The Pearson
correlation coefficient of 0.563 indicates a strong positive relationship between thoughts of death
and dying and the student’s mental health in Cavendish and Ndejje Universities. The regression
coefficient of 0.523 further supports the positive relationship between thoughts of death and dying
and the student’s mental health. The positive and significant relationship indicated by a Pearson
correlation coefficient of 0.606 suggests a strong association between hopelessness and students'
mental health at Cavendish and Ndejje Universities The regression coefficient of 0.286 further
supports the notion that hopelessness has a positive and significant relationship with students'
mental health. It is further concluded that various intervention measures can significantly influence
mental health of university students positively. Some of the various measures that were highlighted
include; having a sound university's suicide prevention program, seeking help, knowing where to
seek help if one struggling with mental health issues, have a trusted friend or family member to
talk to about feelings, assess to counseling services, training people on suicide prevention and
awareness, access to online resources and support groups that are helpful for mental health among
others. The study recommends that Universities should include suicide prevention
mechanism/mental health modules in curricular of various programs being run in the University.
Peer academic support should also be established among the students to improve academic
performance as a strategy to reduce the risk of suicidal ideation.
