Promoting Mental Health in Icelandic Schools Policy Implementation and its Impact on Educational System
Year: 2024
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This master's thesis investigates the use and impact of mental health promotion approaches in Icelandic upper secondary schools, responding to the growing global concern about mental health issues among adolescents. Recognizing the necessity of incorporating mental health policies into educational frameworks to improve the well-being of students, the research involves multiple stakeholders, such as former Ministry of Education and Children officials, current and former Directorates of Health, and both present and retired upper secondary teachers. Six participants, including teachers and policymakers, participated in semi-structured interviews as part of the study's qualitative methods approach. The MAXQDA software aids in the comprehension of the subject matter through content analysis and thematic analysis. Understanding the existing conditions, advantages, and disadvantages of mental health education is the main goal. The research primarily focuses on determining which strategies, tools, and resources are most useful for teaching mental health in Icelandic upper secondary schools. It also looks at the interaction between policymakers and educational institutions. Positive aspects of the primary findings include the widespread enthusiasm of those surveyed for mental health education, their desire to give children the best instruction possible through a variety of approaches, and their recognition of the value of teamwork. Since mental health education can be taught in any topic in any school, some have either used handbooks or merged it with other disciplines. They have also considered other crucial elements, including nutrition, exercise, and a healthy atmosphere. However, they identified issues like staff overwork, a lack of mental health resources in Iceland, the challenge of changing conditions, Covid-19, and inconsistent teaching methods that result in uncertainty and financial constraints. The interviewees also offered their opinions on how to enhance mental health education. Although the study acknowledges certain limitations, including a limited research time and a small sample size, it provides insightful information and practical solutions to support mental health education in a variety of learning contexts. The study offers insightful information to support and improve upper secondary mental health education programs in Iceland, providing a path forward for further study and policy formation in this crucial area.
Source: Skemman
Author: Mayu Tomioka
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7005414385