Fostering Mental Health Literacy Among Primary School Professionals: Evaluating the Impact of an Online Training Program ‘Well@School’

Joonas Korhonen (), Mari Lahti, Kostadin Kostadinov, Karmen Erjavec, Natalja Istomina, Svetla Ivanova, Areti Lagiou, Valentina Lalova, Monika Makutienė, Venetia Notara, Hanna Ollikkala, Gergana Petrova, Evanthia Sakellari, Daiva Sukyte and Camilla Laaksonen
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Joonas Korhonen: Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
Mari Lahti: Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
Kostadin Kostadinov: Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Karmen Erjavec: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Novo mesto, 8000 Novo mesto, Slovenia
Natalja Istomina: Institute of Health Science, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 01513 Vilnius, Lithuania
Svetla Ivanova: Department of Nursing Care, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Areti Lagiou: Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Department of Public and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 12210 Athens, Greece
Valentina Lalova: Department of Nursing Care, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Monika Makutienė: Institute of Health Science, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 01513 Vilnius, Lithuania
Venetia Notara: Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Department of Public and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 12210 Athens, Greece
Hanna Ollikkala: Emergency Care, Public Health Nursing, Midwifery and Diagnostic Services, Faculty of Health and Well-Being, Turku University of Applied Science, 20520 Turku, Finland
Gergana Petrova: Department of Nursing Care, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Evanthia Sakellari: Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Department of Public and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 12210 Athens, Greece
Daiva Sukyte: Institute of Health Science, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 01513 Vilnius, Lithuania
Camilla Laaksonen: Emergency Care, Public Health Nursing, Midwifery and Diagnostic Services, Faculty of Health and Well-Being, Turku University of Applied Science, 20520 Turku, Finland

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 3, 1-13

Abstract: Mental health challenges among children and adolescents have become a pressing global concern, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing geopolitical instability. Addressing these issues requires innovative, cost-effective strategies, with schools serving as critical platforms for mental health promotion. This study evaluates the impact of an online training program, Well@School, designed to enhance Mental Health Literacy (MHL) among primary school professionals in Finland, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, and Greece. Using a descriptive, cross-sectional design with pre- and post-test assessments, the study involved 223 health, education, and social care professionals. The revised Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) was employed to measure changes in MHL. Results indicated a significant positive effect, with an average increase of 4 points (2.5%) in MHLS scores post-course. Bayesian analysis further confirmed this improvement, showing a high probability (99.92%) of a positive impact, with the most likely gain ranging between 3 and 5 points. The findings underscore the potential of online training programs to enhance MHL among school professionals, thereby improving their capacity to support students’ mental health. This study highlights the importance of equipping primary school staff with the necessary skills to recognize and address mental health challenges, reduce stigma, and foster a supportive school environment.

Keywords: child and adolescent; digital health; health literacy; mental health promotion; public health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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