The Tale of Two Schools: Investigating the Understanding of Mental Health by Students, Parents and Teachers in Rural and City Bangladesh
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17140/PCSOJ-6-155Keywords:
Mental health, School, Bangladesh, EducationAbstract
Objectives
The main aim of the study was to investigate the understanding and attitudes of mental health held by students, parents and
teachers using strength and difficulty questionnaire (SDQ) scores and qualitative responses. Attitudes towards mental health and
well-being are important as they can increase stigmatization and prevent young people seeking help and support.
Methods
To assess the understanding of mental health needs of students the SDQ was administered to parents (n=18; rural n=12 and city
n=6), teachers (n=22; rural n=16 and city n=6), and students (n=23; rural n=17 and city n=6). In addition to this, semi-structured
interviews were undertaking with students (n=14; rural n=9; city n=5) and parents (n=14; rural n=8; city n=6). Further,
written narratives were received from teachers (n=12; rural n=6; city n=6). SDQ results were subjected to the non-parametric
Mann Whitney-U with the Bonferroni correction applied and qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis.
Results
SDQ results showed students in the rural location had significantly higher mental health needs than those in the city location
(p<0.017). Thematic analysis revealed that parents in the rural location do not understand the term ‘mental health’ and therefore,
it is not seen as a problem despite high needs. Teachers in all locations and parents in city location have a limited understanding
of what mental health means.
Conclusion
There is a lack of understanding about what mental health by parents in the rural community and a limited understanding of
what mental health is by all teachers and parents within the city community. Even though high-SDQ scores were observed in
both the rural and city location, SDQ scores were significantly higher in the rural location. These findings support the need for
future mental health advocacy within Bangladesh schools.
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