Background: Physical activity (PA) has been associated with decreased symptoms of depression and anxiety in the general population, but more consistent evidence is needed in the university population. Purpose: Investigate the association between physical activity and depressive and anxiety symptoms in undergraduates. Methods: 100 university…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how K-5 teachers in central Missouri described how they used SEL in the classroom during the COVID-19 pandemic; and how they think their use of SEL addressed student mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research questions included how K-5 teachers in central Missouri described…

Utah Code 53F-2-522 and Board Rule R277-625, "Mental Health Screeners," sets standards for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to implement approved mental health screening programs for students. The legislature has appropriated a $1,000,000 for the program in 2024, however prior the allocation was $500,000. During the 2023-2024 school year,…

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth of color (LGBTQ-YOC) face disproportionate risks of adverse mental health outcomes, including higher rates of depression and suicide-related thoughts and behaviors (STB) compared to their White LGBTQ and heterosexual peers. Despite the documented disparities, there is a critical lack of…

Unmet mental health needs are common in young children. Recent research on mental health care utilization has focussed mainly on parental perspectives. This study seeks to determine which types of behaviours exhibited by children predict the perceived need for action among both parents and daycare teachers. Parents and daycare teachers reported on…

Physical activity has several mental and psychological health benefits for students. Various studies in western countries have shown evidence of a relationship between physical activity and academic anxiety. Further, researchers have suggested testing the mechanism of this relationship. In this study, we aim to test the association between…

As the proliferation of school shootings in the United States is amplified, notably absent in the discussions and research related to addressing this phenomenon are the voices of preservice teachers on the cusp of entering the profession. This case study explored the perceptions of pre-service teachers at a small, private liberal arts college. The…

Teacher burnout is a growing concern. Stressors of the teaching profession can become too much. Emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and personal and professional inefficiency are three main facets of burning out. By reconnecting to others and themselves, teachers can conquer burnout. Self-care, including getting enough rest, is also an important…

The coherence of autobiographical narratives is suggested to be reflective of individuals' mental health. However, inconsistencies in results are regularly observed. Therefore, in this study, the Narrative Coherence Coding Scheme (NaCCS) by Reese et al. ("Journal of Cognition and Development," 12, 424-462) was deconstructed and every…

Epidemics and pandemics are difficult periods for the affected community, specifically in the proliferation of mental health issues. In such adverse times, factors of psychological vulnerability such as propensity to worry and low emotional stability might have a detrimental effect on the mental health of the individuals. To investigate the impact…

The positive psychology literature suggests focusing on strengths in mental health treatment improves well-being, reduces symptomology, and is linked to positive outcomes. However, there is little research on the use of strengths in treatment and their association with outcomes in youth clinical populations. The present study used multi-level…

Despite high rates of mental health concerns among youth, they are unlikely to receive mental health care, with mental health stigma acting as a barrier. The present study explores youth perceptions of the influences of stigma and what should be done to address it, drawing on a large (n = 705) mixed methods dataset of youth aged 14 to 24 from the…

Parenting stress experienced by parents of autistic children is well-documented. Recent evidence suggests that self-compassion may be a protective factor against parenting stress. However, it's not clear how self-compassion contributes to better parenting outcomes. This study examined the associations among self-compassion, mental health…

The study of mental health among gifted and accelerated learners has continued to evolve since the publication of a chapter focused on their subjective well-being. This article provides an updated review of mental health research focusing on gifted learners, specifically through understanding flourishing is routed in their experiences of positive…

When the COVID-19 pandemic closed in-person schools in March 2020, SOS Signs of Suicide shifted to a virtual program. This paper describes an evaluation of the acceptability of the online program by middle and high school students (N = 1196). Students generally responded favorably to virtual SOS. Although some were unsure, of those with an…