Young people’s perceptions of mental and physical health in the context of general wellbeing

Objectives: Recognition of the need for health education in schools has seen advances in health literacy in recent years. Most of these have focused on physical health whereas education about mental health is generally lacking and focused on tackling stigma rather than promoting good mental health. This study evaluated a pilot intervention designed to improve young people’s understanding of good mental health as a key aspect of wellbeing and explores their perceptions of health and wellbeing. Methods: Two hundred and eighteen 13-year-olds participated in an interactive workshop about healthy eating, physical activity and mental health. Young people’s understanding and perceptions were assessed through anonymous questionnaires at the start and end of the workshop. Common themes were identified and differences pre- and post-workshop and between girls and boys were analysed. Results: Nearly all young people (100% before, 97% after) perceived being healthy to mean being physically healthy. A minority (8%) also considered mental health to be a component of general health, which increased to 12% after the workshop. Understandings of mental health broadened after the workshop. Interestingly many mentioned physical health when asked to describe mental health, both before and after the workshop. Girls’ and boys’ responses were similar except for more girls including social relationships in their descriptions of mental health. Conclusions: In this study, we have discovered more about how young people perceive health in general and mental health. Such information is useful for targeting future interventions. Students’ understanding of mental health and its importance to wellbeing can be improved through short combined health interventions.