Digitalization and Mental Health Support: Assessing the Readiness of Secondary School Counsellors in Kano State to Integrate E-Counselling Services

The global adoption of digital tools is reshaping educational and mental health support, yet progress in Nigeria’s public secondary schools, especially in Kano State, remains limited. This study evaluates the readiness of secondary school counselors in Fagge, Nassarawa, and Ungogo Local Government Areas (LGAs) to implement e-counseling, targeting student mental health challenges like anxiety and peer pressure within a 1:800 counselor-to-student ratio. Anchored in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Rogers’ Person-Centered Theory, a mixed-methods design integrated surveys with 148 counselors (from a total population of 240) and interviews with 15 counselors and 10 administrators, conducted in June 2025. The analysis focuses on digital skills, infrastructure, perceptions, and support. Results show enthusiasm for WhatsApp and Google Meet, hindered by inadequate training, unreliable internet, low device availability, policy gaps, and cultural skepticism. A staged implementation is recommended, including tailored training, infrastructure improvements, policy development, and local partnerships. The study proposes monitoring e-counseling’s impact on student engagement and mental health outcomes, providing actionable insights for educators, policymakers, and technology advocates to foster sustainable digital counseling in Kano State.