Al-Hikmah University Journal

Social withdrawal was predictors of self-harm and suicide ideation which are threats to security

of life of secondary school adolescents in Nigeria. This paper discussed social withdrawal

behaviour among adolescents in Nigerian Secondary Schools. Secondary source of data

collection was used. The information was gathered from print resources and online publications,

journals, articles by well established institutions and organizations. The paper identified social

withdrawal behaviour of self-harm, depression and suicide ideation as risk factors for insecurity

of life secondary school adolescents in Nigeria. The implication include that social withdrawal

behaviours are mostly common among adolescents than Nigerian adults. Social withdrawal

affects mostly males than females’ in-school adolescents. Emotional development of socially

withdrawn children was poorer across all ages, the counsellor should assist adolescent who

shows symptoms of emotion imbalance to develop coping mechanisms to face challenges of life

headlong rather than running away from it. In order to finding plausible solution to social

withdrawal (Self-harm and Suicide Ideation) concerns. The paper suggests that guidance and

counselling services should be mandatory for secondary school adolescents, government should

employ trained counsellors and posted to all educational levels in the country, the Ministry of

Education should organise seminars and training for secondary school counsellors in Nigeria.

This would equip them with skills on how to detect signs of social withdrawal among adolescents

through self-examination, self-evaluation and analysis of alternatives. The school counsellor

should used transactional analysis and assertiveness techniques to assist adolescents with social

withdrawal behaviur in secondary schools across the country.