Höfundur: Mayu Tomioka 

Leiðbeinandi: Ólafur Páll Jónsson

Ágrip/efni: This master thesis focuses on the implementation of mental health promotion policies in Icelandic schools and evaluates their impact on the education system. Adolescence in mental health issues has become a growing concern globally, so having an effective involvement of mental health policy in education is critical and should aim to foster well-being within educational settings. This study seeks multiple perspectives from former directly of health, current upper secondary teachers, former the majority of health educators, and a former principal. The study focuses on policies implemented by the Icelandic government to promote mental health in schools. My supervisor’s introduction employs a semi-structured interview approach, which includes qualitative interviews with policymakers and educators. The key findings suggest a multifaceted approach to mental health promotion in Icelandic upper secondary schools. This includes addressing the relationship between the Department of Health and Schools, as well as the Ministry of Education, utilizing technology, teaching in schools, and school systems.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain, including a lack of funding, a lack of people among policymakers, and the absence of a specific measure for mental health education. The study’s findings have several policy and practice implications. For starters, there is a need for continued investment in mental health promotion initiatives, with a focus on resource allocation for each school, as there are different resources in each school, and capacity-building for educators, as it is discovered that lack of coordination occurs, and some schools do individually, while others do not.

In conclusion, the findings indicate that, while progress has been made in promoting mental health in Icelandic schools, more action is required to fully address students’ diverse needs. By prioritizing mental health within educational policy and practice, Icelandic schools can foster environments that support all students’ well-being and academic success.