Purpose of the study

The purpose of the study is to describe the importance of having mental health

education in a school program. At this stage in the research, mental health education is

a big issue. Furthermore, the purpose of this study is to provide information and to

impart knowledge to the student’s of Davao Doctors College. This study will be

beneficial to various sectors like to Davao Doctor’s College, Teachers, parents, student

and the future researchers

Davao Doctor’s College. This study will give them insight into the potential actions they

may take to advance their goal of high-quality, inclusive education. Additionally, this will

provide administrators and other academic leaders the inspiration to propose a program

in order to better meet the needs of everyone, not just those who are struggling with

mental health issues.

Teachers. The study’s findings will provide teachers with suggestions on how they might

handle students who are struggling with mental health difficulties. Through this study,

teachers are provided the knowledge they need to create an effective program or

activity that meets students’ requirements.

Parents. The study might contribute new information that allows parents to better

understand their children’s needs. The study may provide parents with information that

will assist them manage their children who are affected by this factor since it will provide

them new insight into mental health issues.

Students. As the main participant of this study, the results of this study may serve as a

feedback to students regarding to Mental Health Education being added into school

program. Thus, this study may help students be aware how to cope with Mental health

issues.

Future Researchers. The study may help future researchers gain insights about the

topic of importance of having mental health education in a school curriculum.

Furthermore, this will give information regarding in mental health issues of a students.

Scope and Delimitation

This phenomenology study will focus on importance of implementing mental health

education in a school curriculum. The purpose of the study is to describe the need for

mental health education of G11 ABM students in DDC and to illustrate how G11 ABM

students feel about Mental health education being added into the program. It will take

place at Davao Doctors College, INC., located at General Malvar Street, Davao City.
The duration of this research study is during the second semester of the school year

2022-2023.The participants will purposively selected from Grade 11 ABM students of

Davao Doctors College, Inc.

Research Objectives

The objective of this study is to determine why does it is important to implement mental

health education in a school program.

 Describe the need for mental health education of G11 ABM students in Davao

Doctors College.

 Illustrate how G11 ABM students feel about mental health education being

added into the program

CHAPTER 1

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the

stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their

community (WHO, 2022). Moreover, Mental health among students is associated with

impaired academic achievement, worse occupational preparedness, and lower future

occupational performance (Regina et al., 2018). Furthermore, Mental health education

provides necessary awareness and resources for individuals and their loved ones. It

helps break the stigma associated with mental health. Additionally, it can promote

efforts for treatment and recovery (MedCircle, 2021).

In a global scale, according to the World Health Organization (2022), close to 20%, or,

one in five students, are actively dealing with a mental health issue. In addition, Poor

mental health can have several detrimental effects on children and youth. Not only can

it impact academic performance and success, but it may also interfere with social

relationships and physical health (Leblanc, 2020). Moreover, We need to be working

towards a school environment where students are able to recognize when they’re

dealing with mental health issues and feel they can ask for help (mcLean, 2019).

Understanding the symptoms and indicators is one method to fight mental illness.

Students will be better able to recognize problems with their friends and with

themselves if they are taught about mental health in the classroom, and teachers will be

better able to determine whether a student is having difficulties.

In the Philippines, Among Filipino children aged 5 to 15, 10% to 15% are affected by

mental health problems (Grace et al.,2021). At least 3.6 million Filipinos are estimated

by the Special Initiative for Mental Health in the Philippines to have a mental,

neurological, or substance use disorder. Schizophrenia was the most prevalent mental

illness in the Philippines in 2015, and it is estimated that million Filipinos (1% of the

population) are affected by it ( Matalam, 2022). This is just one of the many indicators

showing the state of mental health of these children. Torres (2023) states that the

Philippines’ basic education system is also facing a problem on the rising number of

children with mental health issues.

In Davao City, According to Villafuerte (2018) Davao City has a high rate of teenage

suicide and depression cases In 2017. Manliquez (2018) stated that recognizing the

symptoms of depression can prevent a loved one or member of the family from taking

their own life. She emphasized the value of spending more time with the family as well.

Mental health has a significant role of student academic life. In the previous studies,

they are more focused on the effects of mental health of the students. Furthermore,

researchers found out that there are limited studies on mental health education and how

it important to be implemented in the school program. As a result, the purpose of this

study is to assess the significance of mental health education within the school

curriculum as well as to gather student feedback.

THEORETICAL LENS

This study is anchored on the Cognitive-Behavioral Theory (1960) by Aaron Beck. This theory

suggests that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, and that negative

thoughts and behaviors can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. In a

mental health education program, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Theory) can help individuals to

develop a better understanding of their own mental health and equip them with practical skills

to manage their emotions and behaviors. This can ultimately lead to better mental health

outcomes and an improved quality of life. This theory best supports this study as it explores the

need for mental health education of G11 students and how G11 students feel about mental

health education being added into the program.

 LITERATURE REVIEW

This section of the introduction reviews related studies and literature regarding to the

challenges of mental health issues for students and The coping strategies of student

towards mental. The presentation is arranged to discuss the following: The rise of

mental health issues to students, The challenges of mental health issue of students and

the coping strategies of student towards mental issues and Synthesis.

The rise of mental health issue for students

A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that up to 20% of adolescents

worldwide experience mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and

suicidal thoughts. The report also highlighted the impact of academic pressure, bullying,

and social media use on young people’s mental health (WHO, 2018).A survey

conducted by the National Union of Students in the UK found that 78% of students

experienced mental health problems in the past year, with 33% saying they had

experienced suicidal thoughts. The survey also found that academic pressure, financial

stress, and social isolation were the main contributors to students’ mental health issues

(National Union of Students, 2016). Another study published in the Journal of Affective

Disorders found that the prevalence of depression and anxiety among senior high

school students in China had increased significantly in recent years. The study

surveyed over 10,000 senior high school students and found that the rates of
depression and anxiety had increased from 21.8% in 2013 to 26.1% in 2018 (Liu et al.,

2020).

The challenges of mental health issues for students

According to Muller (2015), Students facing mental health issues often do not receive

adequate support. Students who do not receive these supports during times of

vulnerability perform more poorly in school, have lower rates of completing high school

and college, and more difficulty finding jobs than their peers. A report by the National

Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) found that many students with mental health issues

struggle to access the care they need. The report found that long wait times, high costs,

and limited availability of mental health services were all common barriers to treatment

for students (NAMI, 2018).Senior high school students may face stigma and

discrimination for seeking help for their mental health problems. A study by Zhou et al.

(2021) found that perceived stigma was a significant predictor of depression among

senior high school students in China.

The coping strategies of student towards mental

Engaging in self-care activities, such as getting enough sleep, eating well, and

practicing good hygiene, can have a positive impact on mental health. A study by

Ricciardelli et al. (2020) found that self-care practices were positively associated with

psychological well-being among university students. Seeking help from friends, family

members, or mental health professionals is a common coping strategy. A study by

Griggs et al. (2021) found that social support was positively associated with

psychological well-being among college students. Physical activity has been shown to

have a positive impact on mental health. A study by Asare & Danquah (2019) found that

exercise was an effective coping strategy for reducing stress and anxiety among

university students.

The following section has thoroughly discussed the rise of mental health issues for

students, the challenges of mental health for students, and the coping strategies of

students towards mental health. The discussion of the phenomenon of mental health

have been the subject of previous studies and literature and has been discussed in

great detail above.

CHAPTER 2

Method

This chapter includes a description of the research design of the study. In relation to the

methodology, this chapter includes a description of the role of the researcher and the

sample size and sample techniques. Further, this section also presents a description of

the data collection instruments, the plan for recruitment, participation and data

collection, and the plan for data analysis. Lastly, strategies for enhancing the

trustworthiness of this study and a discussion of ethical considerations are presented.

Research Design

This study will utilize the Qualitative Research Design which focuses on meaning and

understanding where the researcher becomes the primary instrument for data collection

and data analysis (Merriam, 2009). This kind of research inductively deals with the

research problem as it creates concepts, themes or hypotheses from the descriptions of

the data to be gathered. These pieces of information will be used in order to create

connections among the research context, the participants and the result of the study.

Moreover, qualitative research is deemed appropriate for this study since this research
is focused on the mental health education of grade 11 ABM students, their challenges

and coping mechanism toward mental health issues.

Moreover, this study will use the Phenomenological design which is a more specific

method of qualitative research. Johnson and Christensen (2014) refers to

phenomenology as the description of one or more individuals’ consciousness and

experience of a phenomena. The purpose of phenomenological research is to obtain a

view into the research participants’ life and to understand their personal meanings

constructed from their lived experiences.

Research Environment

This study will be conducted at Davao Doctors College Inc. It is a private and non-

sectarian academic institution located at General Malvar Avenue in the heart of Davao

City. The institution was established in the year 1975 by a group of medical doctors

originally for the purpose of catering the great demand for nurses back then. Although

more known for their medical tertiary courses, Davao Doctors College opened its doors

for the Senior High School Department in 2016. The Senior High School department is

offering five strands: Science, Technology and Engineering and Mathematics (STEM),

Accounting, Business and Management (ABM), Humanities and Social Sciences

(HUMSS), General Academic Strand (GAS) and Technology, Vocational and Livelihood

Education (TVL).

Research Participants

This study will make use of the Purposive Sampling method in choosing the participants

of the study. Purposive Sampling is a non-probability sampling method and it occurs

when elements selected for the sample are chosen by the judgment of the researcher

(Black, 2010). This method may prove to be effective when only limited numbers of

people can serve as primary data sources due to the nature of the research design,

aims and objectives.

Purposeful sampling will be used to provide the richest data possible about grade 11

ABM students mental health education. The method is appropriate to use since the

study would require a few number of participants. Furthermore, the study will generate

information from five participants from Grade 11 of the senior high school program in

Davao Doctors College.

These participants will be selected according to specific inclusion criteria that will help in

the validity of the data to be gathered. These inclusion criteria will include the following:

(a) the student should be under the senior high school ABM program, (b) the learner
who suffers from mental health issues, (b) the learner who are experiencing stress

related to exams or social pressures. Should the prospect participant fail to adhere to

these criteria, he/she will not be included in the study.

Data Collection

In gathering essential data for the study, I will first create interview questions which will

serve as my guide during the data gathering procedure. These questions will have to be

presented first to my adviser for improvement. After such, they will be evaluated and

validated by the experts in order to ensure alignment to my objectives and

appropriateness to the research context.

In order to conduct my study, I will be writing letters to the school heads to ask

permission for the conduct of the study in their school and for the access of some

necessary documents in the study. The moment all necessary approvals from the

different offices are done, an introduction and an orientation about the research will be

given to the prospect participants. Here, they will be explained as to the nature of the

research and its objectives. After all the consent letters are retrieved, the next phase

which is the individual interview will commence.

In order to address the objectives of the study which are to describe the need for mental

health education in G11 ABM students and Illustrate how G11 ABM students feel about

mental health education being added into the program, I will conduct an individual

interview with the participants. Harrell and Bradley (2009) defines interview as a

discussion between the interviewer and an individual which aims to gather information

on a specific set of topics. In this context, the purpose of the interview is to discover

their perspective about learning through their reflections from their learning experiences.

Data Analysis

The method of analysis that will be used in this study will be the thematic analysis of

qualitative data. Thematic analysis is the most common method used in analyzing

interviews (Jugder, 2016). Braun and Clarke (2006) stated that thematic analysis is a

method used for identifying, analyzing and reporting patterns (themes) within the data,

and since this kind of approach can produce an insightful analysis that may help answer

the research questions, I chose this for my study. Explicitly, I will be building from the

theoretical positions of Braun and Clarke (2006) that posits a three-stage procedure

which includes preparing the data to be analyzed through transcribing, reducing the

data into themes through coding and representing the data.

Trustworthiness of the Study

Yin (2014) and Merriam (2009) noted that the trustworthiness of a study is particularly

important in qualitative research. Because case studies are one type of qualitative

research design, specific constructs were relevant to this study. These constructs

included credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability. Each of these

constructs is described below in relation to the strategies that I used to improve the

trustworthiness of this qualitative research.

Credibility. One of the key elements to ensure the establishment of trustworthiness in

the research study is credibility. This element refers to an internal validity where this

looks into the alignment of the study objective and their way of assessing. I can

establish credibility in my research by using measures that are valid and reliable as well

as following rules like getting participants’ informed consent and respecting their privacy

and confidentiality.

Transferability. Transferability refers to the degree to which the results of qualitative

research can be transferred to other contexts with other respondents (Bitsch, 2005).In

order to apply transferability in my research, I will provide detailed description of the

study methods and results and ensuring right citation of the text and proper referencing

of the data gathered are applied to avoid plagiarism.

Dependability. According to Bitsch (2005), dependability refers to “stability of findings

over time. Dependability involves participants evaluating the findings and the

interpretation and recommendations of the study to make sure that they are supported

by the data received from the informants of the study (Cohen et al, 2011). In this study, I

executed dependability by using standard protocols for data collection and analysis to

ensure that the study’s findings are consistent and reliable.

Confirmability. This method refers to the degree to which the results of the inquiry could

be confirmed or corroborated by other researchers. Merriam (2009) asserted that

researchers need to explain their biases, assumptions and assumptions in order for the

others to determine how the researcher have come up with the interpretation. In my

study, I will apply conformability by using clear and transparent methods for data

collection and analysis, to establish the objectively and transparency of the study’s

findings.

Ethical Considerations

Ethics is often linked to the norms or conducts that distinguish between what is

acceptable and unacceptable in the field of research. Resnik (2015) asserted several

reasons why it is important to adhere to ethical rules in research. Research involves a

great deal of working with others in order to attain a certain objective, thus, it is

important to establish values that are essential to collaborative works like trust,

accountability, mutual respect and fairness. Also ethical norms help to ensure that

researchers can be held accountable to the public in cases of research misconducts.

Merriam (2009) noted that it is inevitable for some ethical dilemmas to emerge in the

process when gathering data and disseminating the findings. Further, Merriam

described three critical elements that ethically affect the researcher-participant

relationship: (a) clarity and transparency of the purpose of the study, (b) informed

consent, and (c) privacy and confidentiality.

Clarity and Transparency. These ethical concerns of clarity and transparency in relation

to the purpose of the study will be addressed by explaining the purpose of the study to

the potential participants during the briefing of the potential participants, which was to

describe the need for mental health education to G11 ABM students and Illustrate how

G11 ABM students feel about mental health education being added into the program. It

is also important to explain to them at this phase that the result of the study may impact

disciplines and the mental health issues and mental health education at Davao Doctors

College. It will also be explained to them that the interview questions have been

validated to ensure validity.

Informed Consent. This will be addressed in the process by asking all participants to

sign a consent from the time they agree to participate in the study. The consent form will

be an invitation for the participants to take part in the study by their own will. This will

also include specific procedures designed to ensure privacy and confidentiality. The

consent form will also state the length and location of the interviews and that these

interviews will be audio recorded. Also, the consent form will state the right of the

participants to discontinue in their participation at any time. Risk and benefits of

participation in this study will also be stated in the form.

Privacy and confidentiality. In order to achieve privacy and confidentiality, the

participants will be assured that necessary measures will be observed which may

include the use of pseudonyms for their names, the name of the school and the name of

the school district.

Role of the Researcher

The role of the researcher in a qualitative research is different from that in a quantitative

research. If in a quantitative research, the researcher is almost non-existent, in a

qualitative research, the researcher is the main instrument in the data gathering

procedure (Denzin & Lincoln, 2003). (Stake (1995) described the role of the case study

researcher As a student, researcher, and transcriber focus on the study while collecting

information with an optimistic viewpoint.

In the context of this study, I am the sole person responsible in the data gathering,

analysis and interpretation. With this in mind, biases may be a question against me.

However, I will make sure to employ certain strategies to avoid biases in the study. In

addition, Sutton and Zubin (2015) noted that since data are to be collected, it is a

primary responsibility of the researcher to safeguard participants and their data. That is

why, it is necessary that I employ an ethical research following the guidelines on the

ethics on research which mainly involves informed consent and confidentiality of the

participants.

Moreover, it is also my role as a researcher to probe questions, listen, reflect and then

ask more probing questions to get an in-depth discussion. This is in reflection to the

belief by Punch (1998) who asserted that an effective qualitative researcher seeks to

build a picture using ideas and theories from a wide variety of sources.
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Name: Joanna Marie T. Capuyan Section: 11- MYERS

Title Page ______/5 points

Chapter 1: Introduction (______/145)
Background of the Study
 Introduction of phenomenon (3 current citations) ____/10
 Global (3 current citations) ______/10
 Philippines (at least 1 current citation) _____ /10
 Davao City/Davao Doctors College ______/10
 Research gap & purpose statement _______/10
Purpose of the Study
 Introduction _____ /5
 Davao Doctors College _____ /5
 Teachers or Parents ______/5
 Students _____/5
 Future researcher _____/3 points bonus
Scope and Delimitation
 Phenomenon/ objectives mentioned _____/5
 School year & participants _____ /5 points
 Research Objectives
 Question on perception/challenges _____/5 points
 Question on coping strategies ______/5 points
Theoretical Framework
 Theory, proponent and year ______/5 points
 Explanation of theory ______/5 points
 Relate to research objectives ______/5 points
Literature Review
 Introductory paragraph ______/5 points
 Introduction/Rise of Phenomenon with current citations _______/10 points
 Challenges of Phenomenon with current citations _________/10 points
 Coping Strategies with current citations ________ /10 citations
 Synthesis _____ 5 points
Chapter 2: Methodology (______/60)
  Polished research objectives & participants _____ /5 points
 Inclusion Criteria for participants ______ /15 points
Trustworthiness of the Study
 Credibility _____/5 points
 Transferability _____/5 points
 Dependability _____/5 points
 Confirmability _____/5 points
Ethical Consideration
 Clarity and Transparency _____/5 points
 Informed Consent _____/5 points
 Privacy and Confidentiality _____/5 points
 Role of the Researcher ________/5 points
 Reference page _______/ 20 points