Evaluation of Know Before You Go on mental health literacy and life skills to prepare for life after high school.

Abstract

Grade 12 students face much responsibility and challenges as they transition to postsecondary life. This stage of life coincides with some of the challenges faced by adolescents in relation to mental health as this is the time when most mental disorders first manifest. However, with the right education on these new life changes, students have the opportunity to thrive. This study aims to understand whether a blended mental health literacy and life skills programme Know Before You Go (KBYG) will improve students' knowledge about mental health, develop the life skills needed for postsecondary life, and reduce perceived stress. One hundred sixty-eight Grade 12 students completed anonymous surveys on mental health knowledge, life skills, and perceived stress before receiving KBYG from teachers using the Teacher Guide, after the session, and 1 month later. Paired-samples t tests and analysis of covariance were conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) at the significance level of α = .05. Students demonstrated significant improvements in knowledge and reduced stress between pretest, posttest, and follow-up ( p < .05). We found no differences between males and females on knowledge, however, higher stress among females at posttest. At follow-up, female students demonstrated more sustained knowledge and higher stress levels ( p < .05) than male students. KBYG paired with the Teacher's Guide may have a positive impact on students' perceived confidence in their abilities as they enter into a new way of life after high school. Public Significance StatementThis study found that the last-year high school students can benefit from a resource that contains information about both mental health and life skills. A mental health literacy resource with life skill information can help youth reduce stress and support youth transition into life and study after high schools successfully.