Diffusing Innovation and Motivating Change: Adopting a Student‐Led and Whole‐School Approach to Mental Health Promotion

ABSTRACT BACKGROUNDResearch suggests that a whole‐school approach to mental health promotion can be more effective than a compartmentalized approach. In particular, student‐led initiatives have demonstrated a positive impact on students' mental health, though not without systemic and individual...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of school health 2021-12, Vol.91 (12), p.1037-1045
Main Authors: Wong, Anna, Szeto, Samantha, Lung, Daniel W. M., Yip, Paul S. F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Advisors
Attitudes
Change agents
Child & adolescent psychiatry
child and adolescent health
Childrens health
Health initiatives
Health Promotion
Holistic Approach
Humans
Identification (Psychology)
Initiatives
Innovation
Innovation diffusion
Innovations
Institutionalization
Intervention
Mental Health
Mental health promotion
Motivation
organization and administration of school health programs
program planning
School Administration
School Health Services
School Organization
School Personnel
Schools
stress
Student Leadership
Student Participation
Students
Teenagers
Transformation
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Summary:ABSTRACT BACKGROUNDResearch suggests that a whole‐school approach to mental health promotion can be more effective than a compartmentalized approach. In particular, student‐led initiatives have demonstrated a positive impact on students' mental health, though not without systemic and individual barriers. Factors that lead to successful implementation and sustaining of student‐led initiatives are currently not well understood. METHODSA case study is presented to demonstrate how a student‐led intervention came about, inspired changes in the school organization and members, and transformed the school's approach to mental health promotion. Analysis of in‐depth interviews with student leaders and adult advisors was informed by theories of innovation diffusion and human motivation. RESULTSKey factors and mechanisms of change were identified for the initiation, transformation, and institutionalization stages of the student‐led initiative. Changes in students' identity and adult advisors' mindset were found to be integral to the successful conversion to a whole‐school approach in mental health promotion. CONCLUSIONSThis study confirms the value of mobilizing the student body as an active resource in promoting mental health in school and the importance of input from school management, advisors, and intervention expert. Recommendations on how to implement a student‐led initiative and sustain the positive changes are given.
ISSN:0022-4391
1746-1561
DOI:10.1111/josh.13094