Mental Health Promotion in School Environments: Actions Focused onChildren and Adolescents

Authors

  • Lancciane Nilian Celino Reis Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales y Sociales Author
  • Marcelo Messias Lopes Author
  • Sheila Érika Ferro Ramalho Nobre Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales y Sociales Author
  • Jéssica Prazeres Ballesteros Moura Universidade Estadual de Ciências da Saúde de Alagoas Author
  • Kelly Lene Lopes Calderaro Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales y Sociales Author
  • Sérgio Raimundo Ernesto Machado Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales y Sociales Author
  • Oldair Donizete Galeni Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales y Sociales Author
  • Márcio Josué Nunes Shuassb Secretaria Estadual de Educação/RO Author
  • Bruno Ramos Brum UNINASSAU - Vilhena Author
  • Victor Segatto Stwart Greenfort University (GFU), EUA Author
  • Cristiane de Castro Barcelos Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales y Sociales Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21838144

Keywords:

Adolescent Health, Child Health, Health Education, Mental Health, Schools

Abstract

Mental health promotion among children and adolescents has become a major public health priority due to the increasing recognition of emotional, behavioral, and social challenges experienced during childhood and adolescence. Schools represent strategic environments for mental health promotion because they reach large populations during critical stages of human development and provide opportunities for prevention, early identification, and supportive interventions. This academic essay discusses mental health promotion in educational settings, emphasizing actions directed toward children and adolescents. The discussion analyzes theoretical perspectives regarding school-based mental health approaches, examines challenges related to implementation, and explores institutional strategies involving students, families, educators, and health professionals. The essay argues that promoting mental health in schools requires integrated actions based on emotional education, supportive environments, prevention of violence and bullying, professional training, and collaboration between education and healthcare systems. Strengthening school-based mental health initiatives contributes to healthier development, social inclusion, and improved quality of life.

References

Barry, M. M., Clarke, A. M., & Dowling, K. (2017). Promoting social and emotional well-being in schools. Health Education, 117(5), 434–451. https://doi.org/10.1108/HE-11-2016-0057

Buchanan, R., Gueldner, B. A., Tran, O. K., & Merrell, K. W. (2019). Social and emotional learning in classrooms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. School Psychology Review, 48(4), 457–472. https://doi.org/10.17105/SPR-2017-0114.V48-4

Durlak, J. A., Mahoney, J. L., & Boyle, A. E. (2022). What we know, and what we need to find out about universal, school-based social and emotional learning programs. Educational Psychology Review, 34, 1143–1162. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-021-09677-w

Fazel, M., Hoagwood, K., Stephan, S., & Ford, T. (2014). Mental health interventions in schools in high-income countries. The Lancet Psychiatry, 1(5), 377–387. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70312-8

Gijzen, M. W. M., Rasing, S. P. A., Creemers, D. H. M., Smit, F., Engels, R. C. M. E., & de Beurs, D. (2022). Effectiveness of school-based prevention programs for adolescent mental health: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 94, 102162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102162

Greenberg, M. T., Domitrovich, C. E., Weissberg, R. P., & Durlak, J. A. (2017). Social and emotional learning as a public health approach to education. The Future of Children, 27(1), 13–32.

Hetrick, S. E., Bailey, A. P., Rice, S. M., Simmons, M. B., McKenzie, J. E., Montague, A. E., Parker, A. G., & Alvarez-Jimenez, M. (2019). A systematic review and meta-analysis of psychological interventions for adolescents with depression. The Lancet Psychiatry, 6(1), 1–14.

Kieling, C., Baker-Henningham, H., Belfer, M., Conti, G., Ertem, I., Omigbodun, O., Rohde, L. A., Srinath, S., Ulkuer, N., & Rahman, A. (2011). Child and adolescent mental health worldwide: Evidence for action. The Lancet, 378(9801), 1515–1525. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60827-1

Lund, C., Brooke-Sumner, C., Baingana, F., Baron, E. C., Breuer, E., Chandra, P., Haushofer, J., Herrman, H., Jordans, M., Kieling, C., Medina-Mora, M. E., Morgan, E., Omigbodun, O., Tol, W., Patel, V., & Saxena, S. (2020). Social determinants of mental disorders and the Sustainable Development Goals: A systematic review of reviews. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(6), 484–494.

Patel, V., Flisher, A. J., Hetrick, S., & McGorry, P. (2007). Mental health of young people: A global public-health challenge. The Lancet, 369(9569), 1302–1313.

Patalay, P., & Fitzsimons, E. (2021). Mental ill-health among children of the new century: Trends across childhood with a focus on age and gender. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 56, 1901–1913.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (2021). Promoting mental health and well-being in schools: A comprehensive approach. UNESCO.

World Health Organization. (2021). Helping children and young people cope with stress: Mental health promotion in schools. World Health Organization.

World Health Organization. (2022). World mental health report: Transforming mental health for all. World Health Organization.

World Health Organization. (2023). WHO guideline on mental health promotive and preventive interventions for adolescents. World Health Organization.

Downloads

Published

2026-08-07

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

REIS, Lancciane Nilian Celino et al. Mental Health Promotion in School Environments: Actions Focused onChildren and Adolescents. Journal of Social Issues and Health Sciences (JSIHS), [S. l.], v. 3, n. 3, 2026. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21838144. Disponível em: https://ojs.thesiseditora.com.br/index.php/jsihs/article/view/643.. Acesso em: 7 aug. 2026.