Young People’s Education and Mental Health: Interdisciplinary Research, Evidence, and Impact

This integrated chapter investigates young people’s mental health and education based on six peer-reviewed papers from five research projects. Methodologically, these papers range from a systematic review, a systematic scoping review and four qualitative research studies, using secondary data, focus groups and/or interviews. This chapter adds perspectives from an original literature review examining areas of relevance and connection across papers in four sections: prevention of mental health issues in schools; purpose of education; hierarchies of evidence and doing research for and with young people. Then methodology and methods, ethics and quality are discussed, followed by four themes derived from further synthesis across the papers and the underpinning research. The first theme, applying Bronfenbrenner’s Process-Person-Context-Time model, highlights the integrated nature of various layers of influence on human development and the need for holistic approaches in schools for educators, health practitioners, and policymakers to consider. The second theme, being an education researcher at the intersection of education and mental health, highlights differences in education and medical approaches to research, its challenges, the value of being an interdisciplinary researcher and positionality. The third theme, relationships with and for young people, explores perspectives on the importance of healthy and supportive relationships and the role schools can play. The final theme, policy and practice relevant research, reflects on the impact of the six papers. This cohesive body of academic enquiry contributes new knowledge through original research that extends the fields of mental health and education. This, together with my development as a researcher, evidence doctoral level research and supports ongoing contributions to education and mental health to benefit young people.<p></p>

Author dc:creator

• Simon Benham-Clarke (18388810)

• Young people
• Mental health
• Education

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved

Identifier

10779/exe.31901923.v1

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:figshare.com:article/31901923