Volume 16, Issue 3 (May & June 2026)
J Research Health 2026, 16(3): 203-216 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Chukwu O O, Ezenwa M, Benson D, Okpala O M. Mental Health Awareness and Support Among Adolescents in African Secondary Schools: A Systematic Review. J Research Health 2026; 16 (3) :203-216
URL: http://jrh.gmu.ac.ir/article-1-2811-en.html
URL: http://jrh.gmu.ac.ir/article-1-2811-en.html
1- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Nigeria. & Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Nigeria. , chukwuoo46@gmail.com
2- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
2- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Abstract: (67 Views)
Background: Mental health issues, such as depression anxiety, stress, and suicidal ideation, significantly affect adolescents in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, awareness, coping strategies, and support systems remain underdeveloped. This systematic review aimed to examine prevalence patterns, coping mechanisms, support systems, and interventions among secondary school adolescents in African LMICs.
Methods: Following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines and prospective PROSPERO registration (CRD420251016106), six eligible studies (2020–2024) were systematically reviewed from PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO. Studies included secondary school adolescents from Rwanda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Uganda, employing cross-sectional, qualitative, and mixed-methods designs. Data were synthesized narratively under the synthesis without meta-analysis (SWiM) framework.
Results: Depression and anxiety prevalence ranged from 20-40% across validated scales (patient health questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9], depression, anxiety and stress scales-21 [DASS-21], generalized anxiety disorder-7 [GAD-7]), with stress reaching up to 45% and suicidal ideation reported at 22.5%. Variations reflected differences in tools and study designs. Awareness levels were mixed; 53% of Rwandan students demonstrated mental health awareness during COVID-19, whereas stigma constrained uptake in Zimbabwe. Coping mechanisms included resilience, peer support, and physical activity, with physically active adolescents showing 40% lower odds of distress (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.6, P<0.01). Support systems involving families, peers, and school counselors were consistently protective.
Conclusion: Building on Zimbabwean evidence of stigma-limited uptake and Rwandan findings of awareness-linked resilience, culturally sensitive, school-based, peer-led interventions that integrate family support and mental health education are critical. Future research should prioritize scalable, cost-effective, and context-adapted models to strengthen adolescent mental health in African LMICs.
Methods: Following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines and prospective PROSPERO registration (CRD420251016106), six eligible studies (2020–2024) were systematically reviewed from PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO. Studies included secondary school adolescents from Rwanda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Uganda, employing cross-sectional, qualitative, and mixed-methods designs. Data were synthesized narratively under the synthesis without meta-analysis (SWiM) framework.
Results: Depression and anxiety prevalence ranged from 20-40% across validated scales (patient health questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9], depression, anxiety and stress scales-21 [DASS-21], generalized anxiety disorder-7 [GAD-7]), with stress reaching up to 45% and suicidal ideation reported at 22.5%. Variations reflected differences in tools and study designs. Awareness levels were mixed; 53% of Rwandan students demonstrated mental health awareness during COVID-19, whereas stigma constrained uptake in Zimbabwe. Coping mechanisms included resilience, peer support, and physical activity, with physically active adolescents showing 40% lower odds of distress (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.6, P<0.01). Support systems involving families, peers, and school counselors were consistently protective.
Conclusion: Building on Zimbabwean evidence of stigma-limited uptake and Rwandan findings of awareness-linked resilience, culturally sensitive, school-based, peer-led interventions that integrate family support and mental health education are critical. Future research should prioritize scalable, cost-effective, and context-adapted models to strengthen adolescent mental health in African LMICs.
Keywords: Adolescent, Mental health awareness, Coping mechanisms, Support systems, Sub-Saharan Africa, Stigma reduction, Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), School-based interventions
Type of Study: Review Article |
Subject:
● Psychosocial Health
Received: 2025/06/2 | Accepted: 2025/11/22 | Published: 2026/03/14
Received: 2025/06/2 | Accepted: 2025/11/22 | Published: 2026/03/14
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-By-NC), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
Contact Information
