What is the problem we are addressing?
Promoting psychological well-being and protecting adolescents from adverse experiences and risk factors that may impact their potential to thrive are critical for their well-being during adolescence and for their physical and mental health in adulthood. An area that is highly stigmatized around the world but even more so locally, the goal of this innovation is to help students start the conversation around specific topics that impact student wellbeing and mental health. Mental health and wellbeing, especially during the current COVID conditions are often ignored in the high school or are expected to be supported by understaffed counseling departments. Locally, identification and support for mental health has really just begun and most of the focus has been on adults but we know many mental health conditions arise earlier. The Wellness Ambassador initiative is working to destigmatize mental health and dispel long standing cultural beliefs with the science behind mental health in the school setting.
What is our solution?
Three Qatar Foundation schools in partnership with The Learning Center and Sidra Medicine, began conversations around how to extend the current mental health knowledge campaign that Qatar has begun. The idea was to create a peer group of students called; Wellness Ambassadors. The idea centers on promoting knowledge of mental health and wellbeing while encouraging students to begin open and honest conversations about mental health with their peers and the support of licensed Psychologists. High School students apply and interview and, once accepted, attend an 8 hour training to prepare them to be mentors within the school. Each month is focused on one mental health topic and students participate in monthly assemblies related to the topic. The assemblies are structured so students receive some information about the monthly topic while also being able to engage in open dialogue with a licensed Psychologist there to support. The Wellness Ambassadors also participate in a Wellness Campaign. This campaign is around a chosen topic that is relevant to the students. After researching, students create videos, posters and share in school assemblies the knowledge they have gained through their research. Additionally, the Wellness Ambassadors post regularly on social media with a focus on mental health.
An overview of our impact
The Wellness Ambassador program began in 2019-2020 school year. While I year was cut short by COVID, the impact was still evident. Students were posting regularly on social media and the Instagram account gradually increased in numbers. Additionally, school counselors made note that fewer students were coming to see them about daily concerns but rather being referred or brought by a Wellness Ambassador when the issues were beyond their level of support. Additionally, a survey was given to all high school students at the beginning of the school year to assess their level of understanding in multiple areas of mental health. When the survey was given again at the end of the year, of the students that participated, there was a drastic difference in the level of knowledge and understanding of mental health.
Examples of implementation
- When we went into lockdown, the Wellness Ambassadors stated that they had more peers emailing them, seeking peer support about the struggles of going into lockdown. It was beneficial for the Ambassadors but also those students seeking the help.
- One of our Ambassadors spoke at a country wide event, sharing how this program has helped her to open up more to others, solidify her career choice, but more importantly, to know that we don’t have to go through things alone.
What are our future goals?
For the 2020-2021 school year, the goal is to expand the Wellness Ambassador program into 2 additional Qatar Foundation schools. To date, I have been able to bring another school on board and have successfully trained 16 new Wellness Ambassadors. Additionally, the Ministry of Education is seeking input on how to scale this to the Ministry schools in the country. We are currently working with the Ministry to scale up the innovation.
How can someone else implement it? What do they need?
In order for someone else to implement this, one would need to select 10- 12 topics related to the mental health and wellbeing of high school students. We have written a book/pamphlet to guide the training for our Ambassadors. Additionally, a school would need to have a partnership with licensed Psychologists to help guide the students and be available to the school. Qatar Foundation is fortunate to have one at each school site as well as working directly with a local hospital. Within the school, an open and understanding administration that is willing to dedicate training time for identified student ambassadors as well as monthly assemblies. A main focal point from each school would need to be identified to help facilitate the program. This focal point would present information to the whole school to garner student interest, disseminate applications, complete the interview and selection process and meet regularly with the identified students to ensure social media posting is completed and accurate as well as facilitate the Mid- Year Wellness Campaign.
