The role of community service mental health clinics in promoting healthy schools in Gauteng

M.Ed.Mental health and wellbeing, as well as the development of healthy schools, and the role of communities in this respect, are increasingly becoming prominent both nationally and internationally. This is clearly evident in the South African context, especially in the Departments of Education and Health. The legislative framework in South Africa already encourages this shift, which in education includes a move towards inclusive, ecosystemic and whole school developmental perspectives, and in health to more community-based and universal strategies. The researcher identified that the theoretical base for the promotion of healthy schools by community mental health clinics already exists, however, the actual role of mental health clinics as a stakeholder in school communities, and in promoting healthy school environments, is not clearly known. A qualitative research design was adopted to develop an understanding of the current and future role community mental health clinics can play, as well as to explore recommendations to improve the status quo. The methods used included interviews with the identified sample group and observation by the researcher. Principals and educators from four schools and psychologists and psychiatric nurses from four clinics participated in this study. The data gathered was then analysed using content analysis techniques. The current role of community mental health clinics in promoting healthy schools was identified as based on traditional or medical model approaches, with very little effective collaboration between schools and clinics, and a general lack of resources. It was found that policy was not being implemented at ground level. Consideration of the future role community mental health clinics can play in promoting healthy schools, identified that mental health services should shift from this medical model approach to an ecosystemic approach. Recommendations supporting this move suggest that mental health services be based on school premises to increase community access to mental health support. Furthermore, mental health professionals should assume more of a training and development approach with learners, educators and ·parents, to increase awareness and empower communities and schools to develop towards becoming healthy schools. An improved referral network was suggested to provide an expeditious process of supporting learners. Improved collaboration between schools and clinics was also advocated, however a focus on this contact being structured was emphasised, as educators and clinic staff are struggling with the logistics ofthis process. It was further recommended that training programmes for mental health staff be extended, and that university students and community service psychologists be incorporated into clinic settings