Document Type : Original Article
Author
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
Abstract
Background: Suicide cases continue to rise with mental health conditions particularly affecting adolescents. We used photovoice methods to explore mental health and well-being as viewed and experienced by adolescents.
Methods: Participatory Action Research through Photovoice was done. Participants provided data through generation of photographs in response to five prompts. A total of 16 college students which include officers and non-officers became a part of this study. More than 100 photographs were collected which were used in the Photo-elicited Individual interviews and group discussions. Data analysis was done by following interpretive analysis of the symbolic expressions, images and languages of the participants. It was conducted through participatory data analysis together with the participants, and through Interpretive Analysis of combined data from individual interviews and group discussions with the aid of Atlas.ti version 9.
Results: Findings highlight that students’ mental health pertains to the dynamics in their dispositions experienced through struggles of controlling internal and external influences concerning academics and life, with constant guidance of prospections relating to values and achievement of goals. Mental health and well-being form a significant role in the growth and development of students in a state university. The Project Gabay Action Plan was developed which aims to establish healthy mechanisms of communication and innovate strategies for mentally healthy teaching-learning environments.
Conclusion: Guided by the students’ perspectives of a mentally healthy university, we propose a supportive, promotive and preventive, emancipating framework such as the Project Gabay to uphold mental health of students in the Higher Education Institutions.
Keywords
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