Qualitative study of irish teacher perceptions of their role supporting student mental health

Whelan, Louise ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4657-0338 (2023) Qualitative study of irish teacher perceptions of their role supporting student mental health. [Data Collection]

Data Catalogue DOI: 10.17638/datacat.liverpool.ac.uk/2411

Description

This study reports on secondary school teachers’ experiences and perceptions regarding their role supporting students with mental health difficulties. In recent decades, it has been suggested that teachers could play a more expanded role in supporting student mental health. Education policy globally is shifting towards a growing expectation that teachers can and will assume that role, although the scope of that role has not been clearly defined and data on how teachers feel about assuming that additional responsibility is just emerging. Data were collected using semi-structured one-to-one interviews with (n=12) classroom teachers in Irish secondary schools in August to December 2020. Results revealed that teachers feel responsibility and concern for their students’ wellbeing but face challenges balancing educational responsibilities with pastoral care. Teachers reported being open to providing support to students experiencing mental health difficulties, but feel that they lack appropriate training to support students with mental health issues and some fear they could “make matters worse”.

Keywords:

adolescence, mental health, school, teachers, Ireland

Divisions:

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health

Depositing User:

Louise Whelan

Date Deposited:

08 Aug 2023 13:26

Last Modified:

08 Aug 2023 13:28

DOI:

10.17638/datacat.liverpool.ac.uk/2411