Detailed contribution information
| Contribution title | 3473 - Peer education as a powerful tool in mental health promotion among youth |
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| Contribution code | PS02-32 (P) |
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| Form of presentation | Poster |
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| Abstract |
Background: This paper summarizes results of a pilot project that took part in Zagreb during year 2015 / 2016 and was organized by Croatian Medical Students' Association in collaboration with City Office for Health in Zagreb and Regional Health Center - Zagreb West. Started by medical students, it is based on peer education, with previously educated and prepared students conducting workshops in high schools, in order to emphasize the importance of early prevention and mental health promotion and create a safe environment for mental health topics. Subjects and Methods: There were 7 workshops conducted in three high schools in Zagreb, with 390 high school students participating. During workshops students have learned basics about mental health, with themes focused on self-acceptance, emotions, relationships, addictions, self-harm, independence, responsibility etc. Every workshop was evaluated by high school students with Evaluation form designed for this purpose. They evaluated usefullness, satisfaction, content, their educators etc. Before and after the project high school students were given with Self-Consciousness Scale (Fenigstein, Scheier, Buss, 1975) and Private Self-Consciousness Scale (Huić, 2009) in order to evaluate the difference in self-consciousness before and after the project. Results: The top achievements represent the change in the Self-Consciousness Scale in the post, compared to pre questionnaires. There is a statistically relevant change in all of the aspects evaluated in the questionnaire. The evaluation of the questionnaires was done using a t-test for dependant particles. The biggest improvement is seen in the private self-consciousness part (t = -3,474; p<.01), but there was also improvement in the parts evaluating their emotions (t= -3,320; p<.01), cognition (t= -2,336; p<.05), and their body image (t= -2,580; p<.01). They also showed an improvement regarding public self-consciousness. All workshops were rated with with high grades in all areas evaluated with the form, which shows students satisfaction with this type of education. Conclusions: Peer eduaction as a form of non-formal education should be considered as a powerful tool in prevention and mental health promotion among youth, in collaboration with mental health services and efforts from teachers and parents. |