Fears, Motivation, and Strategies of Guidance Counselors in Handling Clients with Suicidal Tendencies

Abstract

Across the globe, suicide is now a typical behavior among the youth in the contemporary period. This phenomenon challenges school guidance counselors on how they reach out to suicidal clients effectively. However, as they help suicidal clients overcome their unresolved issues, they are also vulnerable to the counseling sessions. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study is to explore the fears, motivations, and strategies of guidance counselors in handling clients with suicidal tendencies. Using purposive sampling, nine (9) key informants willingly participated in the semi-structured interviews. Results revealed three themes as regards their fears. They were (1) apprehensive about suicidal clients' wellbeing, (2) occupational vulnerability, and the (3) adverse effects of counseling suicidal clients. Furthermore, there were two emerging themes as regards their motivations. These were (1) professional calls to help and (2) counseling as an instrument for change. Lastly, two themes were extracted for their strategies, namely, (1) reliance on counseling tools and techniques and (2) provision of a support system.