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Dissertation
A phenomenological understanding of the impact of student mental health on education
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
Jun 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00011026
Abstract
This qualitative phenomenological study explored how school personnel--specifically teachers and social workers--address the increasing mental health needs of students within K-12 educational settings. As student mental health concerns become more visible and urgent, it is critical to understand the strategies, challenges, and successes that educators and mental health professionals encounter when supporting students' well-being. The target population for this study included educators and school-based support staff with a minimum of two years of experience, recruited through the researcher's professional network across a range of school contexts including public, charter, private, virtual, and approved private schools. Using semi-structured interviews, the study captured the lived experiences and insights of participants as they worked to recognize, respond to, and support students facing emotional and psychological challenges. The findings revealed three central themes: prioritizing mental health as essential to learning, navigating systemic barriers that hinder effective support, and the emotional toll placed on educators and support staff. Participants described both formal and informal strategies for addressing student needs, highlighting the importance of relationships, the limitations of existing resources, and the urgent need for systemic change. This research offers valuable insights into how schools can improve mental health support by investing in staffing, training, school-wide structures, and staff well-being. By centering the voices of those on the front lines, the study provides practical recommendations for school leaders and policymakers to develop more responsive, equitable, and sustainable interventions. Ultimately, this work contributes to a deeper understanding of how educators navigate the complex landscape of student mental health and underscores the need for school systems to prioritize emotional well-being as foundational to academic success.
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Details
- Title
- A phenomenological understanding of the impact of student mental health on education
- Creators
- Kimyada Dionne Benson
- Contributors
- Katherine Piselli (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- ii, xii, 161 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Education (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022058736804721