Abstract
Psychological wellbeing and mental health are increasingly recognised as essential for individual health and community productivity (World Health Organisation, 2021). In Australia, an estimated one in seven (or 560,000) Australian youth and adolescents experience mental health disorders (Australian Medical Association, 2018). However, only 30% of Australian youth and adolescents report using mental health services (Islam et al., 2020). This is concerning given the importance of early intervention to minimise the effects of mental illness across the lifespan (Australian Government Department of Health, 2011).
It has been proposed that this might be addressed using school systems, which provide a “natural and accessible” way to address the mental health issues of youth and adolescents (Werner-Seidler et al., 2017, p. 32). This presentation considers two novel approaches for increasing student engagement with mental health services in schools: (1) a martial arts-based psychosocial intervention, and (2) the use of cooperative electronic gaming.
The martial arts-based intervention was assessed using a randomised controlled trial of 283 secondary-school participants. Results indicated the experimental conditions’ levels of resilience and self-efficacy improved post-intervention (Moore et al., 2021). The latter approach is currently being piloted as an intervention with primary-school participants to address school-based bullying. This approach uses cooperative electronic gaming to promote cooperative goals and improve relationships.
Given the relatively small proportion of Australian youth and adolescents accessing mental health services, it is vital to find effective ways of engaging with this group. Novel approaches can improve psychological strengths, providing “real and compelling” (Sherif, 1956, p. 58) interventions that may facilitate student uptake of mental health services in schools.
Three key learnings:
- School-based mental health services,
- Intervention efficacy related knowledge regarding physical activity, and
- Novel complementary approaches for addressing mental health.
It has been proposed that this might be addressed using school systems, which provide a “natural and accessible” way to address the mental health issues of youth and adolescents (Werner-Seidler et al., 2017, p. 32). This presentation considers two novel approaches for increasing student engagement with mental health services in schools: (1) a martial arts-based psychosocial intervention, and (2) the use of cooperative electronic gaming.
The martial arts-based intervention was assessed using a randomised controlled trial of 283 secondary-school participants. Results indicated the experimental conditions’ levels of resilience and self-efficacy improved post-intervention (Moore et al., 2021). The latter approach is currently being piloted as an intervention with primary-school participants to address school-based bullying. This approach uses cooperative electronic gaming to promote cooperative goals and improve relationships.
Given the relatively small proportion of Australian youth and adolescents accessing mental health services, it is vital to find effective ways of engaging with this group. Novel approaches can improve psychological strengths, providing “real and compelling” (Sherif, 1956, p. 58) interventions that may facilitate student uptake of mental health services in schools.
Three key learnings:
- School-based mental health services,
- Intervention efficacy related knowledge regarding physical activity, and
- Novel complementary approaches for addressing mental health.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2023 |
| Event | ANZMH Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference 2023: Australia and New Zealand Mental Health Association - RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, Australia Duration: 20 Mar 2023 → 22 Mar 2023 https://anzmh.asn.au/camhc-2023 https://anzmh.asn.au/hubfs/6025846/CAMHC/2023/camhc-2023-handbook-final.pdf (Conference handbook) |
Conference
| Conference | ANZMH Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference 2023 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | Less talk, more action! |
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| City | Gold Coast |
| Period | 20/03/23 → 22/03/23 |
| Internet address |