Knowledge and attitude toward mental health and mental health problems among secondary school students in Jordan

Author(s):  
Manar AlAzzam ◽  
Sawsan Abuhammad
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 801-811
Author(s):  
Dat Tan Nguyen ◽  
E. Pamela Wright ◽  
Tam Thi Pham ◽  
Joske Bunders

Abstract The objectives of the study were to explore the experiences of school health officers in identifying and managing mental health problems of secondary school students and to gather recommendations from the school officers for improving the effectiveness of mental health care in secondary schools in Can Tho City, Vietnam. We conducted a qualitative study based on in-depth interviews using a semi-structured guideline with 15 school health officers at 15 secondary schools in Can Tho City, Vietnam. Data were analyzed using content-driven analysis to identify recurring themes. The school health officers reported that stress, depression, suicidal ideation, and sexual orientation issues were the most commonly encountered mental health problems among their students. The officers worked with a limited range of interventions for helping these students, such as giving non-narcotic analgesics or advising students to take a short break at school or to go home. Most of them felt that their training was insufficient to deal with mental health problems in an optimal way. They recommended further training to improve their knowledge and skills in recognizing and managing mental health problems in students. They also considered a university-sponsored mental health website a good source of information on mental health care for students. School health officers reported that they did not feel well equipped to manage mental health problems because of insufficient training, lack confidence, and absence of an appropriate network for advice and referral. Updated policies and programs are needed for initial training and refresher courses, which will strengthen the role of school health officers as first line support for secondary school students with mental health problems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Jureša ◽  
M Posavec ◽  
S Latković Prugovečki ◽  
V Musil ◽  
M Majer ◽  
...  

Abstract Issue Adolescent mental health problems are a leading health problem in this population and remain unrecognized for a long time. The aim of this study was to examine the mental health problems with YP-CORE test as a part of regular school health periodic examination of first-year secondary school students (ages 15-16). Description of Problem Study included 392 first-year Zagreb secondary school students (74.5% girls) academic year 2019/2020. Data were collected by YP-CORE test ten questions about feeling over the last week. The students provided informed consent, and testing was done during regular periodic examinations. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results At risk of mental health problems were 7.5% of girls (22/292) and 2.0% of boys. Nine girls (3.1%) had a low overall score, ≤ 19 points, which would mean little risk but had a positive answer to the question 'I've thought of hurting myself'. Ten girls (3.3%) had a score of ≥ 20, which meant an increased risk and a particularly positive answer was the 'I've thought of hurting myself' question. Three girls (1%) had a score of ≥ 20, which meant an increased risk with no additional risk of auto-aggression. The results in the boys are completely different. Two students, 2% (2/100) had a total score of ≥ 17, which meant an increased risk and a particularly positive answer was the 'I've thought of hurting myself' question. All recognized risk students are immediately involved in the counseling of the School and University Medicine Counseling Services provided by every secondary school in Croatia. Lessons The results of the study showed that mental health problems have 6.1% secondary school students with gender differences, girls 7.5%, boys 2%. School health service developed a protocol for students at increased risk. The first step is school medicine specialist interview with the student, then with the parents and the student, and second step including school staff and other professionals. Key messages Early identification of mental health problems, timely intervention and continuous monitoring of mental health among secondary school students in Croatia. Counseling service for students should be available within the school health service, implementing preventative measures and working closely with other services and professionals.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunn Pungpapong ◽  
Rasmon Kalayasiri

Abstract Background: Stressors introduced to adolescents by COVID-19 social distancing measures may cause mental health problems to (re)surface. We studied depression, anxiety and stress among adolescents experiencing lockdown. Methods: From May-June 2020, secondary school students were enrolled in an online cross-sectional survey through social media. We assessed presence and severity of depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7) and stress (PSS-10) in the last month, demographics, degree of social distancing, and other associated issues.Results: Of 392 respondents (56.4% male, 43.1% female), mostly from Thailand (59.2%) and UK (26.5%). We identified depressive symptoms in 58.7%, anxiety in 40.3% and high levels of stress in 9.7%. We found, by multivariate analysis, significant associations between being female and depression and anxiety, being in late secondary school years and depression, and changes in patterns of substance use and anxiety and stress.Conclusions: We propose that girl-centred mental health support platforms should be readily available and tailored to fit specific countries’ contexts. Schools must closely monitor and act upon any concerns which arise from their students and must also monitor mental health wellbeing as changes in academic routine due to COVID-19 could be drastic for some. Harm reduction services must adapt and utilise innovative telemedicine interventions, tailored towards adolescent users.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Gallé-Tessonneau ◽  
Daniel Bach Johnsen ◽  
Gil Keppens

School absenteeism is a serious problem among youths, varying in etiology and presentation. Youths presenting high levels of absence have previously been linked to mental health problems, academic difficulties and dropout, highlighting the need for early identification and intervention. The aim of this study is twofold: first, to identify profiles among a community sample of secondary school students based on school absence, internalizing and externalizing behavior using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL-YSR). Second, to examine the relationship between profiles regarding mental health problems based on the dimensions of the CBCL-YSR, the function of their school absence using the School Refusal Assessment Scale (SRAS) and school refusal using the SChool REfusal EvaluatioN (SCREEN). The profiles are compared on demographic variables, family characteristics, school performance and bullying. A community sample of 469 youths (10-16 year, M=12.1 years, SD=1.2) from six French secondary publics schools participated in this study. Using cluster analysis, four distinct profiles were identified. The clusters differed significantly on school absence, internalizing problems, externalizing problems, dimensions of the CBCL-YSR, and their function of absence on the SRAS. Clusters differed significantly on several demographic variables, school level, grade, repetition and bullying. The distinctions between the four profiles and their relevance are discussed.


Author(s):  
Dat Tan Nguyen ◽  
Tam Thi Pham ◽  
E. Pamela Wright ◽  
Joske Bunders

Abstract Background The stigmatization of mental health problems is a primary barrier for young people to approach mental health services when they suspect they might have such problems. Nevertheless, the internet has become a common platform on which they are likely to seek information on mental health. As such, this study aimed to explore responses from secondary school students in Can Tho city regarding suckhoetre.vn website. This website provided information on health and mental health, and this study assessed the potential relevance, appeal, accessibility, usefulness, and sustainability of the website. Methods A cross-sectional study included 643 secondary school students in Can Tho city selected by cluster sampling. Two weeks after the students were introduced to the website, they were invited to evaluate it using an anonymous questionnaire. The Chi-squared test was used to assess the significance of differences in the distribution of selected students’ sociodemographic characteristics. Results Most (98.6%) participants visited the website in the two-week period, 74% once or twice a week, the others more often, up to once a day. Their activities included reading information (85.8%), seeking help (17.7%), sharing information (15.5%), giving advice to others (11.0%), and chatting or giving comments (9.8%). Most students rated the website very highly in terms of appeal, relevance, accessibility, and usefulness, and wanted to have access to the website in the future. These findings are positive signals to pursue the possible use of a website on mental health for secondary school students to help raise awareness and support good mental health among adolescents in Can Tho city and beyond. Conclusion A website designed to provide information to secondary school students appeared to be a promising way to provide access to information on the topic of mental health. The website should be maintained and introduced widely to students, teachers and parents, with regular evaluation of the effectiveness of this website.


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