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Taking Mental Health to School: Mental health promotion in girls secondary schools

Taking Mental Health to School: Mental health promotion in girls secondary schools. University of Malawi CHANCELLOR COLLEGE. Limbika Maliwichi -Senganimalunje, MA Clinical Psychology. DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY. Background:. Most mental disorders begin during youth.

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Taking Mental Health to School: Mental health promotion in girls secondary schools

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  1. Taking Mental Health to School: Mental health promotion in girls secondary schools • University of Malawi • CHANCELLOR COLLEGE LimbikaMaliwichi-Senganimalunje, MA Clinical Psychology. • DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

  2. Background: • Most mental disorders begin during youth. • Little is known about the youth knowledge of and attitude to mental illness in Malawi. • Substantial investment has been made in mental-health promotion and interventions for young people in many countries. • Only 1.5 % of our national heath budget is spent on mental health. • There is need to improve the range of affordable and feasible early interventions. Young African Women Leaders Forum, Department of state ( USA) & Chancellor College -Department of Psychology 2011

  3. Purpose of the study : 1. To assess and improve girls’ knowledge, awareness and attitudes on mental health and mental health problems. 2. To increase the capacity of girls to identify: • their mental health needs, • causes of common mental health problems, • effective coping and • healthy help seeking behaviours. Young African Women Leaders Forum, Department of state ( USA) & Chancellor College -Department of Psychology 2011

  4. Methods: • Both qualitative and quantitative • 976 girls from girls’ sec. schools(response rate 86.7%). • Likuni in Lilonge: 350 students • St Mary’s in Zomba: 350 students • Providence in Mulanje: 276 students • Age range: 11 years to 18 years across all forms. • Completed a 10 item self-administered KAP questionnaire on mh & mh problems before and after a pp presentation. • FGD with student leaders (n=40) was conducted. • Interviews with the head teachers • The data for each item and overall performance for each student was entered and analysed using SPSS. Young African Women Leaders Forum, Department of state ( USA) & Chancellor College -Department of Psychology 2011

  5. Data Analysis: Questionnaire Young African Women Leaders Forum, Department of state ( USA) & Chancellor College -Department of Psychology 2011

  6. Results: • Overall performance before and after the presentation increased by 20% • Individual item performance varied with the highest increase of 50.9% and the least increase of 2%. • poor knowledge of common mental health problems was common with 86% of the girls unable to identify any single mental health problem. Young African Women Leaders Forum, Department of state ( USA) & Chancellor College -Department of Psychology 2011

  7. Results continued: • Negative views of mental illness were widespread, • 73.7 % believed that people with mental health problems are extremely dangerous. • However, after the presentation only 22.8% of the students maintained this negative attitude. Young African Women Leaders Forum, Department of state ( USA) & Chancellor College -Department of Psychology 2011

  8. Results continued: • A pair wise ranking of the challenges that may contribute to mental health problems identified • relationship problems as a major challenge followed by • educational challenges. • A pair wise ranking of common coping strategies • chatting with friends followed by • crying and praying. • There were mixed results on the specific steps the students take to get help. Young African Women Leaders Forum, Department of state ( USA) & Chancellor College -Department of Psychology 2011

  9. Limitations • No easy access to the schools: strict • Presence of teachers & head teachers during the presentation which limited students participation. • Financial=limited teachers’ participation • Sample size not representative of all sec schools in Mw Zomba Mental Health Link 2010

  10. Conclusion: • An educational intervention can help increase students knowledge on mental health and change their negative attitudes. • There is a need for more research investment to develop, implement, and assess preventive and promotive youth mental-health interventions. Young African Women Leaders Forum, Department of state ( USA) & Chancellor College -Department of Psychology 2011

  11. Acknowledgements • University of Malawi • CHANCELLOR COLLEGE CHILUNGAMO M’MANGA MY 4TH YEAR STUDENT who helped me with data collection • DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

  12. THANK YOUZIKOMOTAWONGAYEO Young African Women Leaders Forum, Department of state ( USA) & Chancellor College -Department of Psychology 2011

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