School Based Support Teams Quality Improvement Interventions for Learners with Mental Health Challenges in Africa: Scoping Review Protocol

This scoping review aims to identify interventions that support adolescents with mental health issues, specifically focusing on Africa, and more particularly on the South African context. This focus will help uncover the cultural and contextual factors that influence mental health interventions in this region. In South Africa, accessing mental health services can be difficult, especially in under-resourced communities. School-based mental health interventions have been recognized as an effective solution, as they can reach a large number of adolescents in a cost-efficient manner. These interventions take place in a familiar environment for adolescents and provide a setting that reduces the stigma associated with seeking mental health services. The findings will provide insights into the range of interventions aimed at supporting adolescent learners in secondary schools. By analyzing current literature, the researchers aim to highlight the different types of school-based interventions available, evaluate their effectiveness, and identify any barriers that prevent adolescents from accessing mental health support. Additionally, the review will explore closely the role of school-based support teams and assess their effectiveness in assisting adolescent learners with mental health problems within the school context. The expected outcome of this scoping review is to deliver a comprehensive overview of mental health interventions intended to support adolescents in secondary schools