Mental health professional training for teachers and student outcomes: quasi-experimental evidence from Chinese middle schools

By using the quasi-experiment of random class assignment, we examined the impact of mental health professional training for teachers on student outcomes in Chinese middle schools. The results indicate that assigning students to classes with Mental Health Training Certificate (MHTC)-equipped homeroom teachers significantly improves their non-cognitive abilities, and the instrumental variable (IV) estimates remain significant. Moreover, this positive effect is more pronounced among disadvantaged students. Mechanism analysis shows that MHTC enhances homeroom teachers' attributes and fosters a better classroom atmosphere.