Achmad Yusuf

THE ROLE OF EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY IN ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES IN EDUCATION

Introduction

The role of educational psychology in addressing mental health challenges in education. Educational psychology is vital for mental health in schools. Learn about intervention strategies, early detection, and creating supportive environments to boost student well-being and learning outcomes.

Abstract

This study aims to describe the role of educational psychology in addressing mental health challenges in education and to identify intervention strategies implemented by teachers, counselors, and educational psychologists to support students' psychological well-being. The research method used was qualitative with a phenomenological approach. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation studies with informants consisting of teachers, school counselors, educational psychologists, and students. Data analysis was carried out through the stages of reduction, presentation, and drawing conclusions using thematic analysis techniques. The results of the study indicate that educational psychology plays a crucial role in early detection of mental health problems, providing interventions in the form of counseling and mentoring, and creating a more psychologically friendly school climate. The main obstacles in the application of educational psychology are limited counselor staff, minimal teacher training, and stigma regarding mental health issues. Nevertheless, the application of educational psychology principles has been shown to have a positive impact on learning motivation, emotional regulation, and the creation of a psychologically healthy learning environment.

Review

This study tackles a highly relevant and pressing issue: the pivotal role of educational psychology in addressing mental health challenges within educational settings. Employing a qualitative, phenomenological approach, the research effectively describes how educational psychology contributes to student well-being and identifies specific intervention strategies implemented by various stakeholders. The findings compellingly illustrate the critical functions of educational psychology, ranging from early detection and intervention through counseling and mentoring, to fostering a psychologically supportive school climate. Importantly, the study also highlights the positive impacts of these applications on students' learning motivation, emotional regulation, and the overall health of the learning environment. The strength of this research lies in its comprehensive qualitative methodology, drawing data from a diverse array of informants including teachers, school counselors, educational psychologists, and students through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation. This multi-perspective approach provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the practical realities and complexities of integrating psychological support into education. The identification of both the crucial roles played by educational psychology and the significant systemic obstacles—such as limited staff, insufficient training, and the pervasive stigma surrounding mental health—offers valuable insights for practitioners, policymakers, and administrators aiming to enhance mental health provision in schools. While the study offers valuable insights, there are areas where further depth could strengthen its contribution. Given the phenomenological intent, a more detailed exploration of the *lived experiences* of students concerning specific interventions, or the direct impact of perceived stigma, could have provided even richer qualitative data. The abstract mentions counseling and mentoring, but specific examples or a deeper analysis of their nature, frequency, and perceived effectiveness from student perspectives would be beneficial. Additionally, while the main obstacles are clearly identified, the abstract does not elaborate on potential solutions or strategies for overcoming these barriers beyond the implicit need for more resources and training. Future research could build upon this foundation by exploring case studies of successful implementation strategies or conducting comparative analyses across different educational systems to further inform best practices.

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