Effectiveness of Approaches Used in Addressing Students’ Depression among Teachers’ Colleges in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The study sought to investigate on the effectiveness of approaches used in addressing depression among young adults at teachers’ colleges in Zimbabwe. The study adopted the post-positivism paradigm where a mixed approach was used through questionnaire and interview schedule as means of data collection. The sample consisted of 206 participants drawn from 180 students, two vice principal, two deans of students, 13 heads of departments, one chaplain and eight counsellors. While quantitative data was coded and analysed by the use of tables with frequencies and percentages, qualitative data was analysed through the thematic approach. The study concludes that cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral therapy and person centered therapy are used to address depression cases in Zimbabwean teachers’ colleges. The specific techniques which were commonly used include guided discovery, role play, cognitive restructuring, relaxation and visualization, exposure and person centered. The study therefore recommends that the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development and other stakeholders should come up with a policy which spells out expected counselling approaches and techniques to be used at the colleges to address the depression of students. The study further recommends the provision of more trained counselling personnel for the identified approaches to be effective in addressing depression.