Mental health and sence of belonging: composing concepts and actions with adolescents in the pandemic

• Grant number: 21/10984-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2022
• End date: February 29, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Maria Fernanda Barboza Cid
• Grantee: Maria Fernanda Barboza Cid
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Amanda Dourado Souza Akahosi Fernandes ; Ángeles Parrilla Latas ; Danieli Amanda Gasparini ; Diene Monique Carlos ; Giovana Garcia Morato ; Maria Angelica Mangino Cardoso ; Martha Morais Minatel

Abstract

Research WITH (and not about) adolescent is still incipient, especially in Brazil and in the field of mental health. On the other hand, the last decade literature has shown an increase in the rates of psychological distress in this population, which has intensified in the context of the COVID-19 Pandemic, alerting to the need for the production of knowledge and public policies for the promotion and strategic mental health care aimed at adolescents, but considering their participation in the processes of reflection, planning and implementation. In this direction, the present research proposal has the general objective, to identify and analyze, with adolescents linked to public schools, their perceptions about mental health and feeling of belonging and to create, with them, strategies aimed at the promotion of mental health, considering the pandemic scenario. For this, an inclusive participatory research with adolescents linked to public schools located in the territory of a city in the state of São Paulo will be developed. It is noteworthy that data production will take place, taking into account the contingency measures being implemented at the time. Thus, the support of schools will be sought, in order to favor the participation of students. The research will be carried out over a period of 24 months, in five phases, namely: Preliminary phase, in which the authorization procedures of the teaching secretariat and submission to the research ethics committee will take place; Phase 1, in which, in addition to the identification and location of potential participants, an open individual interview will take place in order to identify the adolescents' perceptions of mental health and feeling of belonging. The data obtained in this phase can be used to trigger the reflections of the next phase; Phase 2, in which the concepts and strategies of actions to promote mental health and a sense of belonging will be produced, considering the pandemic context, with adolescents; Phase 3: if it is the desire of the participants in the process of participatory research, it is intended to take some action to promote the mental health of adolescents in the school context; Phase 4: Dissemination of the knowledge produced, both at the local (school / territorial) and academic levels. It is hoped that this study - which considers the perspective of the adolescents themselves in the entire investigation process - can contribute with elements that expand the reflection and understanding of mental health and the sense of belonging in adolescence and, consequently, can subsidize actions that consider the particularities of this population, especially considering the current Brazilian health reality. (AU)