Students’ attitudes towards the utilization of guidance and counselling services in schools

Guidance and counselling services are a vital component of holistic education, yet their utilization by high school students in Ghana remains low despite moderate awareness. This mixed-methods study investigated students' attitudes and the factors influencing their engagement with these services, drawing on a sample of 362 students and six key informants (head teachers and counselors). The findings reveal a significant gap between students' recognition of a personal need for counselling and their actual willingness to seek it. The results highlight that the decision to utilize services is critically influenced by factors such as counselor ethics, trust, and confidentiality, with a counselor's reputation and a conducive environment being paramount. Peer-driven social stigma also emerged as a powerful deterrent, with students more likely to be discouraged by negative peer opinions than encouraged by positive ones. Conversely, teacher recommendations were found to be a strong enabler. The study concludes that interventions aimed at improving utilization must focus on building a culture of trust and privacy, rather than just increasing awareness. The implications suggest a need for policymakers to invest in professionally trained counselors and for practitioners to prioritize ethical transparency and confidential, welcoming spaces.