Abstract
BackgroundThe combination of extensive poverty, violence and HIV has potential mental health impacts on children in Southern Africa. This article is nested in a broader study to evaluate the strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) among Sotho speakers, and assess the mental health status of children made orphans by AIDS.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to describe the mental health problems that the teachers perceive among learners in their classrooms, to understand what the teachers saw as causing these problems and to identify potential approaches to address these problems within the school setting.MethodAs part of the larger study, 10 teachers were purposively selected to write a report describing the mental health problems among learners in their class. These findings were discussed at two later meetings with a larger grouping of teachers to validate the findings and obtain additional input.ResultsThe teachers were concerned about the emotional state of their pupils, especially in relation to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, scholastic problems and aggression. These problems were felt to arise from the children’s lived context; factors such as poverty, death of parents and caregivers from AIDS and trauma, parental substance abuse and child abuse. The teachers expressed a desire to assist the affected learners, but complained that they did not get support from the state services.ConclusionMany learners were evaluated by teachers as struggling with mental health issues, arising from their social context. The teachers felt that with support, schools could provide assistance to these learners.
Highlights
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), poverty-heightened levels of substance abuse and community and family violence have led to the creation of a large group of disadvantaged children in sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa (SA)
Given the levels of poverty and other social problems in this community, the research team in the current study considered most of the children in target field site to be vulnerable (Sharp et al 2014)
The major mental health problems identified by teachers were depression, anxiety, aggression, drug addiction and scholastic problems concentration, with some learners having more than one of these problems
Summary
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), poverty-heightened levels of substance abuse and community and family violence have led to the creation of a large group of disadvantaged children in sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa (SA). While these conditions are not characteristics for all children in SA, evidence of such traumatised and deprived children is found in many of the poorer and more disadvantaged communities. The impact of orphanhood because of HIV on children in the developing world is well documented (Boyes & Cluver 2013; Cluver 2011; Cluver, Bowes & Gardner 2010; Cluver & Gardner 2007a; Cluver, Gardner & Operario 2008; Foster, Levine & Williamson 2005; Sharer et al 2016: Wild 2001). This article is nested in a broader study to evaluate the strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) among Sotho speakers, and assess the mental health status of children made orphans by AIDS
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