DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF SUICIDAL IDEATION SCALE AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

A severe mental health problem that affects people of all ages and socioeconomic levels is suicidal ideation. Suicide is one of the major causes of mortality globally, with an estimated 800,000 people dying from it each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The prevalence of suicide ideation among university students in Nigeria has grown to be a significant public health issue. In present times, the rate of suicide is alarmingly increasing due to various affecting factors. The stress and pressure of academic work, financial limitations, social isolation, and other circumstances, university students are particularly susceptible to mental health issues. In Nigeria, attempts to prevent suicide have mostly concentrated on addressing the risk factors connected to suicidal ideation, such as trauma, substance misuse, anxiety, and despair. The range of suicidal ideation varies from self-harm and unsuccessful attempts, which may be deliberately constructed to fail or be discovered, or may be fully intended to result in death. Suicidal ideation is “a form of mild suicidal behaviour, a predictor of suicidal behaviour, a clinical phenomenon in its own right” (Linden, Zaske & Ahrens 2003). Although most people who undergo suicidal ideation do not go on to make suicide attempts, a significant proportion do. Suicidal ideation is generally associated with depression; however, it seems to have associations with many other psychiatric disorders, life events, and family events, all of which may increase the risk of suicidal ideation.