Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.31299/hrri.60.1.1
Mental health issues, needs, and challenges faced by children and adolescents during public health emergencies: a study based on the perspective of educators
Renata Glavak Tkalić
; Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences, Marulićev trg 19, Zagreb, Croatia
Marina Kotrla Topić
orcid.org/0000-0001-9829-3056
; Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences, Marulićev trg 19, Zagreb, Croatia
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Public health emergencies, including catastrophic events such as pandemics and natural disasters, as well as the rise of diseases caused by high-threat pathogens result in specific and often critically threatening situations (WHO, 2023). This study aimed to examine the perception of educators (e.g., teachers and trainers) in Croatia regarding the mental health issues, needs, and challenges faced by children and adolescents during public health emergencies, as well as the risk and protective factors associated with mental health issues. Data was collected using two focus groups that included a total of 12 educators (e.g., teachers, sports trainers, kindergarten teachers, and so on) who work with children and adolescents. The results were analysed using thematic analyses and showed that the symptoms observed most often in children were fear, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, sleep problems, behavioural problems, and concentration problems. Educators also provided insights into the broader context in which these symptoms were evident and highlighted their personal need for additional support and education. Furthermore, they listed various protective and risk factors that, in their opinion, could influence the coping abilities of children faced with a crisis. These findings are important for the creation of programmes that aim to protect the mental health of children during and after public emergencies, as well as to train those working with children in order to help them recognise the needs of children and adolescents and find ways of providing help.
Keywords
mental health; pandemic; crisis; educators; qualitative study
Hrčak ID:
318299
URI
Publication date:
27.6.2024.
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