Impact on staff of the Mentally Healthy Schools Framework

Abstract

PurposeThe Mentally Healthy Schools Framework (MHSF), based on the population-wide Act-Belong-Commit mental health promotion campaign, is a whole-school approach primarily targeting student mental health, but it is also intended for staff. This paper presents the results of an impact survey on staff after the implementation of the Framework in a number of schools in Western Australia.Design/methodology/approachA baseline questionnaire was completed by n = 87 staff at schools that had just signed up to the programme, and a participant questionnaire was completed by n = 146 staff at schools that had been participating for at least 17 months.FindingsThe results show that the Framework has had a substantial impact on many staff in terms of increased mental health literacy and taking action to improve their mental health.Originality/valueMental health interventions in schools generally focus on students' well-being and how to deal with student mental health problems. There are few comprehensive interventions that also include staff well-being.

Social Disconnectedness, Loneliness, and Mental Health Among Adolescents in Danish High Schools: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

“…Altogether, there is a need to prioritize mental health promotion–including social connectedness–in the youth sector, and frameworks have been developed precisely for this purpose (Kuosmanen et al, 2020 ). In terms of specific examples of interventions to promote mental health in schools, it is relevant to note that the Act-Belong-Commit campaign has been successful in enhancing well-being among both students and staff in Australian schools (Anwar-McHenry et al, 2016 ; Anwar McHenry et al, 2018 ), and is now also being implemented in university settings in the USA (Elon, 2019 ). The Act-Belong-Commit framework essentially promotes three behavioral domains known to contribute to good mental health: Keeping physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually active (Act); developing a sense of belonging through interaction with social support networks and participation in group and community activities (Belong); and taking on challenges and committing to causes and hobbies that provide meaning and purpose (Commit).…”

“…The Act-Belong-Commit framework essentially promotes three behavioral domains known to contribute to good mental health: Keeping physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually active (Act); developing a sense of belonging through interaction with social support networks and participation in group and community activities (Belong); and taking on challenges and committing to causes and hobbies that provide meaning and purpose (Commit). The Act-Belong-Commit school framework enables the promotion of positive mental health using the campaign messages in a school setting by encouraging a whole-of-school approach to mental health promotion (Anwar McHenry et al, 2018 ).…”

Associations Between Multiple Leisure Activities, Mental Health and Substance Use Among Adolescents in Denmark: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

“…Research suggests that engaging in leisure activities—particularly those that require effort, concentration, or commitment—is essential in the protection and promotion of good mental health (Trainor et al, 2010 ; Santini et al, 2017a , 2018a ). This is also supported in research on adolescents as well as school-based interventions (Bartko and Eccles, 2003 ; Palen and Coatsworth, 2007 ; Trainor et al, 2010 ; Anwar McHenry et al, 2018 ). Leisure activities are thought to be developmentally important because they can provide new skills and foster self-esteem, a sense of meaning, and social connectedness during adolescence, all of which are conducive to mental well-being and resilience (Kleiber and Kirshnit, 2002 ; Santini et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Act-Belong-Commit, also referred to as the ABCs of Mental Health , is a mental health campaign and framework for doing mental health promotion, which is currently being deployed in different parts of the world (Koushede et al, 2015 ; Santini et al, 2018). Importantly, it has shown promising results in school settings in Australia, where is has been fruitful in promoting mental health and well-being among both students as well as teachers (Anwar-McHenry et al, 2016 ; Anwar McHenry et al, 2018 ). Our study provides further evidence suggesting that similar policy and practice efforts may do well to promote and increase access to leisure activities among adolescents.…”

Modeling the participation in physical exercises by university academic community in Sri Lanka

“…revealed that physical activity patterns of Sri Lankan adults with diabetes are inactive and people with high body mass index (BMI) had a significant negative association with the level of physical activity. This review reveals a lack of evidence on trends and drivers of participation in exercises by different groups of labor community (Anwar-McHenry et al, 2020;Susanto et al, 2020). In particular, noncommunicable disease (NCD) prevalence induced by sedentary lifestyle is more common among highly educated white-collar job holders, and the situation is even worse in South-Asian region (Ranasinghe et al, 2013).…”