Students' Mental Health Challenges and Coping Mechanisms: Basis for a Mental Health Wellness Intervention Program

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the  mental health challenges  encountered by Junior High School Students of Saint Anthony's College of Sta, Ana, Cagayan Incorporated  as well the  coping mechanisms they have adopted  to address their mental health  problem. Results of the study revealed that in terms of the socio- economic profile of the respondents,  their mean age is 14 years old, all are still single and that majority are females, first-born among siblings, reside in rural areas whose parents are mostly college graduates and  are employed in service and sales and agriculture, forestry and fishery works. As to ICT gadgets available for use  by the respondents, majority of them have mobile phones, computers and  stable/strong internet connectivity via mobile data.  Generally, the respondents seldom experienced mental health challenges.  However,  anxiety and trauma-related disorders were mental challenges experienced by the respondents with highest weighted means. To cope with the mental health challenges that they have encountered, taking medicines and relaxing were adopted to ease them from their anxiety and trauma-related disorders.  Praying, eating well, bonding with pet, and time management were resorted to  address their  personality, eating, mood and school-related disorders.