Reasons why university students do not seek counselling services in Kenya

Abstract

Transition to university life can be stressful for all students. In mitigation, most universities in K enya offer social support to students in form of counselling, financi al assistance, health and academic support. Despite this it has been documented that only a minority of university students who experience psychological distress seek professional counselling (Khan and Williams, 2003, Raunic and Xenos, 2008) a situation that is the sam e in Kenya. According to university counsellors, univers ity students undergo tremendous stress from persona l issues, academic pressure, career emphasis and social probl ems. Counselling is meant to provide linear paths f or students to address their problems. However, some s tudents are reluctant to seek help from counsellors . This paper is a report on a study that sought to establi sh the reasons why university students in Kenya do not seek counselling services.