South African high schools are facing significant challenges in addressing mental health issues among students, which can hinder academic performance and overall well-being. A qualitative observational research design was employed, focusing on interviews with students, teachers, and parents within participating schools. Data collection involved semi-structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. Findings suggest a moderate positive correlation between the implementation of mental health programmes and improved academic performance among participants, particularly in subjects like mathematics and English. The study concludes that school-based mental health programmes can have a noticeable impact on students' academic achievements when implemented consistently over time. School administrators are recommended to integrate mental health support services into their curricula and provide ongoing training for educators to ensure effective implementation of such programmes.
Magano et al. (Fri,) studied this question.