The Effect of Students' Mental Health School-Community Cooperative Model on the School Mental Health Awareness

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the Students' Mental Health School-Community Cooperative Model on the school mental health awareness of the participants (school administrators, teachers, students). METHODS: Data were collected from 140 schools that participated in the project. The questionnaires were composed of items about the school mental health policy, climate and capacity. The data was analyzed through paired t-tests between pre and post, and a comparison was made between the 1st and 2nd phase regions. RESULTS: The total scores of the teacher and student groups increased significantly, whereas those of the school administrators did not. The awareness of the teachers showed more changes in the 1st phase regions, while those of the students changed more at the 2nd phase. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, the expansion of the Students' Mental Health School-Community Cooperative Model was proposed.

School-Based Short Term Mental Health Awareness and School Bullying Prevention Programs: Preliminary Report

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the preliminary effects of school-based short term mental health awareness and school bullying prevention programs. METHODS: From April to December 2013, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Promotion team of Seoul National Hospital conducted school-based short term social skill training (N=56, 4 sessions), mental health awareness (N=84, 4 sessions) and school bullying prevention programs (N=171, 1 session) in elementary and junior high schools located in Seoul. The changes in the subjects before and after the program were assessed. RESULTS: The a social skills training program improved the 'helping' behaviors in boys (t=-2.355, p<.05) and 'sharing' (t=-3.223, p<.01), 'cooperation' (t=-2.235, p<.05), and 'comforting' (t=-2.830, p<.01) behaviors in girls, assessed using the Prosocial Behavior Questionnaire. The mental health awareness program improved 'general health awareness' (t=2.620, p<.05), measured using the Korean General Health Questionnaire. The school bullying prevention program resulted in decreased 'self esteem' (t=3.769, p<.01), measured using the Self Esteem Scale and decreased 'anger' (t=4.198, p<.01), assessed using the Novaco Anger Scale. CONCLUSION: The results of our preliminary analysis suggest that school-based mental health awareness and school bullying prevention programs may be effective even when conducted for a short term. Future investigation is necessary in order to validate the long term effects of these programs.