Mental and behavioural health needs of rural high school learners in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District: A relational wellbeing approach

Title : Mental and behavioural health needs of rural high school learners in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District: A relational wellbeing approach

Abstract:

Mental health disorders have been reported as severe problems globally and locally. The demand for heroin-related issues is high in rural communities. Up to 15% of South African youth resort to harmful use and binge drinking “therapy”. More studies have reported on the increased drug use among youth and adolescents, with severe increases in opioid-related disorders. The rural communities have still been reported to be inadequately managing the issues around mental and behavioural health and the added consequences such as attempted suicide and actual suicide. The suicide rates among the youth in rural communities have been reported to be 9.5% of non-natural deaths. This study adopted a qualitative approach and phenological research design. It employed semi-structured interviews for data collection. Twenty-four adolescent learners were selected from rural high schools in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District, Free State Province, South Africa. They voluntarily participated in the study based on their availability, willingness, curiosity, and openness. Data were analysed through thematic analysis. The results demonstrated that mental health challenges take forms such as depression, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, alcohol, and substance abuse disorders. This study reported social problems are related to health inequalities in rural communities in South Africa. It showed that high school learners who use suicide and substance abuse, such as alcohol and drugs, could be copying strategies that youth engage in to respond to their mental health issues. This study recommends that rural schools establish a supportive programme to assist young people in rural communities in adequately managing mental and behavioural health issues affecting their wellbeing. 

Audience Take Away Notes:

• The audience will learn about the Mental and behavioural health needs of rural high school learners in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District, South Africa
• This presentation will help my audience establish a research network and collaborate to develop joint research projects and write books and papers
• Yes, this research may open the door for other researchers to expand their research teaching and learning
• The outcomes of this research provide a practical solution to mental and behavioural health problems that young people experience in rural communities, and a support programme would be more efficient in helping the wellbeing of young people

Biography:

Kananga Robert Mukuna (PhD) is currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of Free State, Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Foundations, Educational Psychology, South Africa. He was a postdoctoral fellow and held a Ph.D. and a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa. He completed his Honours degree in Industrial Psychology from the University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo. He serves as a Special Interest Group leader for the Psychosocialities of Teaching and Learning at the Faculty of Education, UFS. He is passionate about research, focusing on Psychological Assessment, Psychosocial Factors, Rural Education, Inclusive Education, Multiculturalism, Educational Psychology, and Community Psychology. He is an NRF Funding holder. He is an academic champion of the International Collaboration Engagement between the University of the Free State and Ludwigsburg University of Education in Germany.