Enhancing mental health literacy in schools through staff training: An integrative review

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Students who are not well cannot learn. As the prevalence of adolescent anxiety, depression, and behavioural dissorders continues to rise, it is important to identify children who suffer silently, as these disorders can have negative effects on academic performance and absenteeism. While the school nurse and social worker are important resources, it is teachers that have the most access to students. However, the literature shows that staff members often feel they lack training, competency and readiness in identifying and referring students in need. This integrative review examines not only the need for training, but the methods being employed worldwide. While the methods differ in format, all seven intervention studies indicate positive reception by staff members and the majority show improvement of staff knowledge and attitudes, which creates a greater chance of intervention and improved outcomes for students.