School nurses' involvement, attitudes and training needs for mental health work: a UK-wide cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify school nurses' views concerning the mental health aspects of their role, training requirements and attitudes towards depression in young people.


BACKGROUND
Mental health problems in children and young people have high prevalence worldwide; in the United Kingdom they affect nearly 12% of secondary school pupils. School nurses have a wide-ranging role, and identifying and managing mental health problems is an important part of their work.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted using a postal questionnaire sent to a random sample of 700 school nurses throughout the United Kingdom in 2008. Questions concerned involvement in mental health work and training needs for this work. Attitudes were measured using the Depression Attitude Questionnaire.


RESULTS
Questionnaires were returned by 258 (37%) nurses. Nearly half of respondents (46%) had not received any postregistration training in mental health, yet 93% agreed that this was an integral part of their job. Most (55%) noted that involvement with young people's psychological problems occupied more than a quarter of their work time. Staff attitudes were broadly similar to those of other primary care professionals, and indicated a rejection of stigmatizing views of depression and strong acknowledgement of the role of the school nurse in providing support.


CONCLUSIONS
Working with young people who self-harm, and recognizing and being better equipped to assist in managing depression and anxiety are key topics for staff development programmes.
Haddad
Mark
M
Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London, UK. mark.haddad@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Butler
Georgia S
GS
Tylee
Andre
A
D000293:Adolescent; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D012573:School Nursing; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D016526:Workload