Over the past few years, the world has seen a heightened understanding of the role of mental health in elevating quality of life, as the overall well-being for community members of all ages has been more rigorously promoted. This is especially true amongst community members of an influential age such as children and adolescents.

Nevertheless, the studies conducted in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) have reported concerning rates of mental health disorders and psychosocial problems among children and adolescents. However, these studies were constrained by small sample sizes and have generated limited findings. In Jordan, EMPHNET collaborated with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Jordan’s Ministries of Health and Education (MoH) and (MoE) to conduct a national survey in Jordan. The survey targeted a diverse population, including Jordanian children and adolescents aged between 8 to 18 years, as well as those of other nationalities, including Syrian and Palestinian refugees. Participants were drawn from public, private, UNRWA, and Zaatari camp schools, as well as non-formal education centers across all of Jordan’s governorates.

This study generated comprehensive evidence regarding the mental health conditions of children and adolescents, highlighting alarming rates of depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other emotional and behavioral difficulties. The study’s implications extend beyond research, as its findings are set to guide the decision-making process, and they may serve as a stepping-stone to instigate tailored interventions that address this age group in Jordan. Jordan was the starting point for this work, but it is also set to pave the way for future studies in the region.

Recently, EMPHNET also spearheaded another study  titled “The Provision of Psychosocial Support to Students in Jordan: Teachers' Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills, Practices, and Perceived Barriers,” targeting teachers working in public, private, UNRWA, and Zaatari camp schools, as well as non-formal education centers. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the teachers’ knowledge, attitudes, practices skills, and perceived barriers in providing psychosocial support to students in Jordan. These barriers include parents' misunderstanding of the teachers' role in providing such support, the absence of integrated psychosocial support in the curriculum, and challenges in identifying students with psychosocial problems in large class sizes. This study also shed light on a crucial need to address such issues, as this will ensure that students receive the support they need to thrive academically and emotionally.

Moreover, the findings indicated that the identified gaps go beyond the individual level of teachers and have implications at the community level. Consequently, the study stresses the essential need to consider and address the factors that influence the implementation of effective psychosocial support interventions across different levels, including the individual, relational, community, and societal aspects.

In conclusion, EMPHNET reaffirms its commitment to raising awareness about mental health conditions among children and adolescents, and the need to advocate for improved mental health support for school students with Jordan just being an example. Moving forward, it strives to contribute to expanding these efforts to other countries in the region. EMPHNET also stresses the importance of investing in teachers’ knowledge and equipping them with the skills needed to identify and address mental health issues, enabling them to provide appropriate psychosocial assistance.  Top of Form