Research Focus: Youth Mental Health • Teacher Professional Learning

“Bridging the Tier 1 Student Mental Health Support Gap Within the Classroom Setting: An Action Research Study”

What research challenge did your dissertation address?

The rising prevalence of student mental health challenges in the post-pandemic educational landscape has intensified the need for effective Tier 1 mental health support within secondary school classrooms. My action research examined the extent to which targeted professional learning influenced secondary teachers’ knowledge, confidence, and implementation of Tier 1 mental health strategies.

What inspired you to pursue this research?

My research aims to gain real insight into, and inform educators on, developing best practices for student well-being in the classroom, and to curate mental health resources they can actually use.

What did your research find, and what is its impact?

Thematic analysis revealed several key patterns: the critical role of relationship-centered practices, the need for expanded mental health infrastructure and support personnel, and persistent systemic barriers such as time constraints and insufficient training. My findings point to the need for continuous, embedded professional learning, greater access to mental health professionals within schools, and policies that prioritize relationship-driven approaches within secondary education.

“My findings point to the need for continuous, embedded professional learning, greater access to mental health professionals within schools, and policies that prioritize relationship-driven approaches within secondary education.”

Kelsey Tafuna

Full dissertation: https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/bridging-tier-1-student-mental-health-support-gap/docview/3358575665/se-2?accountid=32530