Psychoeducational Approaches to Mental Health for Educators and Students

Sarfraz Aslam^1*Amjad Islam Amjad^2*Dr. Nisar Abid³

• ¹UNITAR International University, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
• ²The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
• ³University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan

Introduction 1.1 Why Mental Health in Education Matters Mental health has evolved significantly since 1948, when it was first conceptualized as enabling optimal individual development. The World Health Organization's influential 2004 definition describes mental health as "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to his or her community". However, current definitions have several limitations, potentially pathologizing everyday human experiences and lacking recognition of essential components like cognitive skills, emotional regulation, and flexibility (Galderisi, 2024). Mental health involves a continuum from good to poor functioning, affecting mental, emotional, social, and behavioral domains (Bitsko et al., 2022). Recent research identifies three dominant paradigms: mental health as the absence of illness, positive mental health, and a state of equilibrium (Coronel-Santos & Rodríguez-Macías, 2022). Globally, educational institutions are facing more mental health problems among educators and students. The World Health Organisation (2021) estimated the number of adolescents with a mental condition to be one out of seven. OECD (2021) has also concluded that nearly half of educators in its member countries most commonly experience stress. These figures reflect the reality of stressed educators, students, and families navigating pressures both within the institution and at home. Psychoeducation, which involves structured programs prioritizing coping skills training, resilience, and mental health literacy, is an essential strategy in such scenarios. Informed about mental health and equipped with practical tools to manage stress, psychoeducational approaches create an environment that fosters both well-being and academic success. Psychoeducational Approaches to Mental Health for Educators and Students contributed 19 articles, including original research, reviews, brief research reports, and conceptual analyses. Several contributions directly evaluate psychoeducational interventions, such as hospital-based schooling that reduces children's anxiety (Padillo-Andicoberry et al., 2025), stress management training before high-stakes exams (Kortsch et al., 2025), online counselling experiences (Tangco-Siason & Paulino, 2025), and near-peer mentoring to enhance resilience (Pölczman et al., 2025). Others introduce conceptual or theoretical frameworks that inform psychoeducation, including Meaning Mindset Theory (Armstrong et al., 2025), the Positive Development and Assessment Competencies (PDAC) Theory (Vazquez-Marin et al., 2025), and a synthesis of teacher agency (Emans et al., 2025). Several articles examine resilience, coping, and psychological skills, such as emotional intelligence (Aragundi-Moncada et al., 2025), coping with stressors and depression (Yang et al., 2025), or academic adjustment during COVID-19 (Tau et al., 2024), while others focus on educator well-being and burnout (Blaskova & Winter, 2025; Dabrowski et al., 2025; Beltran-Sanchez et al., 2024). Finally, studies highlight equity and inclusion in mental health education, exploring contexts such as boarding schools for inland students (Sobon et al., 2025), inclusive adoption of e-learning platforms (Almaki et al., 2024), and skill development in professional schools (Neves & Rodrigues, 2024), and the role of financial education and parental well-being in shaping resilience (Senduk et al., 2024). Taken together, these articles demonstrate that while psychoeducation is the central focus of the Research Topic, it is deeply embedded in a broader ecosystem of resilience, equity, and educator support, reminding us that education is not only about intellectual growth but also about fostering emotional health, human connection, and inclusion. 1.2 Building Inner Strength: Coping, Confidence, and Resilience One common theme in this collection is developing inner resources to manage stress and anxiety. For example, Chen and Lai (2025) reveal that students with financial problems feel less social anxiety when they engage in self-acceptance and assess themselves more favourably. Likewise, Yang et al. (2025) illustrate how coping mechanisms can help weaken the connection between stressful life events and depression among college students. These results resonate with international evidence. A meta-analysis of school-based resilience interventions found that they produce significant, if small, gains in children and adolescents (Cai et al., 2025). Another recent review of strength-based psychoeducation programs identified robust short-term effects on mental health literacy and resilience, with the benefits of resilience persisting even several months after program completion (Fu et al., 2025). The word is out: students who have developed coping skills, emotional intelligence, and resilience training are more successful in dealing with pressures within and outside the classroom. Supporting Educators: Caring for the Caregivers Educators are often on the front lines of mental health challenges. They are expected to support students' well-being, but their struggles with stress and burnout frequently go unnoticed. This special issue features several contributions highlighting the importance of supporting educators. For example, Blaskova and Winter (2025) examine how resilience affects teacher well-being in Slovakia, demonstrating that resilient educators are more engaged and better equipped to manage daily pressures. Moreover, Tangco-Siason and Paulino (2025) believe that applying multimodal and standrazed counseling sessions is critical to address well-being challenges. Similarly, Dabrowski et al. (2025) argued that although educators are overburdened with academic responsibilities, they are the main stakeholders in enhancing diverse students' well-being. International evidence supports this. A cluster-randomised trial of school-based resilience-building interventions reported substantial improvements in well-being among educators and students (Llistosella et al., 2024). An inspiring example from elsewhere is Ukraine, where nearly 900 educators participated in the online Psychosocial Support for Educators program during wartime. The program minimised symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, and maximised educators' confidence in supporting students in times of crisis (Yalanska et al., 2024). Studies also confirm that adequately trained educators can effectively provide psychoeducational interventions to students, making these interventions more viable and long-term (Fazel et al., 2014; Oberle et al., 2020). Caring for educators is not merely an act of kindness but a pragmatic way of building robust school systems. Technology and Innovation: Expanding Access Several articles in this Research Topic explore ways to expand access to psychoeducational interventions through digital resources. For instance, Kortsch et al. (2025) describe a pilot intervention that provides stress management training to high school students taking exams, showing that brief, focused interventions delivered digitally can reduce anxiety during stressful moments. Moreover, Almaki et al. (2024) believed educators should be trained more for the enhanced e-learning platforms to improve social influence, facilitating conditions, and performance expectancy. Globally, there is evidence that online psychoeducation is very effective. A comparison study of text-based and video-based learning media found that both formats enhanced students' knowledge and intention to utilise digital mental health resources (Linardon et al., 2022). Wearable technology and mobile platforms are also being developed to monitor stress in real time and offer immediate coping strategies (Villani et al., 2021). Virtual reality has shown promise as a tool for treating anxiety and phobias, offering safe and scalable exposure therapies (Maples-Keller et al., 2017). The key takeaway is that technology is not a substitute for human care. However, extending support to students and educators who might otherwise lack access to assistance can be crucial. Equity and Inclusion: Supporting All Learners Mental health interventions must be designed with equity in mind. Without this, the students who need support the most may remain unsupported. Several articles in this collection highlight the importance of inclusion. Sobon et al. (2025) describe resilience-building initiatives in boarding schools for students from inland and remote regions. Pölczman et al. (2024) demonstrate how peer mentorship improves resilience and sense of belonging among disadvantaged youth. Likewise, Neves and Rodrigues (2024) show how profiling the skills of students in professional schools can inform more tailored support strategies, ensuring that psychoeducational approaches reach diverse learner populations. External evidence supports these findings. A systematic review of school-based peer education programs concluded that such initiatives often improve knowledge and attitudes, though their impact on behaviour varies depending on design and context (Amjad et al., 2024; Turner & Shepherd, 1999; Harden et al., 2001). UNESCO (2020) has also emphasised that inclusive education must address academic, emotional, and social needs. Equity in psychoeducation involves tailoring support to diverse groups based on age, gender, socioeconomic status, or cultural background. Mental health literacy programs are vital here, as they reduce stigma and empower students and educators to recognise challenges and seek help. 1.6 Human Stories Behind the Research What makes this Research Topic compelling is the human stories behind the data. We read about children in hospital schools benefiting from psychoeducational activities that reduce anxiety (Padillo-Andicoberry et al., 2025). We see how peer mentorship transforms marginalized students' experience (Almaki et al., 2024). We witness educators in crisis zones finding strength through digital training (Senduk et al., 2024). These accounts remind us that mental health is not simply a set of statistics or a diagnosis, but is lived every day in classrooms and homes. Psychoeducation provides both knowledge and hope. It helps young people understand themselves, provides educators with tools to care for themselves and others, and fosters inclusive school communities where well-being is a shared responsibility. Conclusion 2.1 Towards Healthier and Supportive Education Systems Psychoeducation is not a nicety; it is essential to create education systems that value both academic achievement and mental health. From the research contributed in this topic and the broader literature, several priorities emerge, highlighting the importance of incorporating psychoeducation into curricula that teach fundamental skills, such as coping mechanisms, resilience, and emotional awareness, supporting educators both professionally and by addressing systemic sources of stress and fostering organizational cultures of care and leveraging technology effectively to make support more accessible, scalable, and inclusive. Interventions should be designed to promote equity, extend to marginalized groups, and minimize stigma through long-term research investment and strategizing that considers varied cultural and institutional contexts. There can be no education without mental health. By incorporating psychoeducation into the very heart of schooling, we can create spaces that are not only cognitively enriching but also emotionally nourishing (WHO, 2021; UNESCO, 2020), as highlighted. This research topic demonstrates what is attainable when evidence, innovation, and compassion come together. Education at its best does not simply prepare individuals for work or tests; it prepares them for life.