Date of Award

5-2021

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School of Social Work

First Reader/Committee Chair

McAllister, Carolyn

Abstract

The prevalence of mental illness in adolescents is more extensive than in previous years. In schools, social workers have been utilized to address mental health episodes in students, however, they generally do not get involved until the adolescent’s mental health episode is critical and unmanageable without social support. This needs to change. The purpose of this research study is to assess for adolescent’s knowledge of mental illness and mental wellness. The targeted population is school-aged children in grades K through 12, however the respondents of the study were student educators due to the protected status of school-aged children. This study utilized a non-probability chain sample of current and former student educators. Participants were solicited via an online platform to adhere to current state-mandated social distance policies resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The results indicated three areas of positive statistical significance between mental health education and mental health knowledge. The results also signified in six areas a positive statistical significance between mental health education and mental health service utilization. The findings from this project address the deficit in knowledge surrounding adolescent mental health and aid in the reduction of the social stigma surrounding mental illness in our society.

Keywords: adolescent, mental health, prevention,

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