PERCEPTION OF COMPETENCY AND NEEDS GUIDELINES FOR COLLABORATING ON MENTAL HEALTH CARE AMONG STUDENTS IN EXTENDED OPPORTUNITY SCHOOL, NAKHON SI THAMMARAT PROVINCE

Abstract

                Objective: To investigate the perception of competency and the need for cooperation guideline approach to caring for students’ mental health in extended opportunity school, Nakhon Si Thammarat province.

                Methods: The informants consisted of four groups: administrators and teachers, students, parents and network partners/health personnel, totaling 62 people. Data were collected by in-depth interviews of 18 people and focus group discussions in four groups of 9 - 12 people each through a semi-structured questionnaire on perceptions of competency and need for cooperation guideline approach to mental health care among students in the extended opportunity school. Content analysis was used for data analysis.

                Results: Perception of competency: Teachers and parents perceived limitations of competency in screening and assessing. Mental health issues are complex beyond the ability to cope. Students perceived that they and their peers faced mental health problems but lacked of knowledge and skills for helping. Network partners/health personnel perceived that they have limitations in competency and collaboration. Stakeholders operate in different ways and can be helped when students’ mental health problems occur in severe and difficult to solve. Need for cooperative approach: the participants require a systematic approach to screening, assessing, caring for, referral and continuing to care for students with mental health problems, focuses on closing the gap in collaborative psychological care through the same goal-different approach, reduce redundancy, and increase the efficiency of the operations of those involved throughout the process according to the guidelines. These collaboratives preventing and solving mental health problems among school students in extended opportunity school.