Class teachers’ perceptions of their responsibility for pupil mental health and well-being in schools

Abstract Mental health problems are a phenomenon that has become increasingly common in the everyday lives of children and young people. Only limited research exists on how class teachers perceive their responsibility for student well-being and mental health at a time when schools are facing increased expectations and demands. The study aim was to examine class teachers’ experiences of their responsibility for student well-being and mental health, and accessible and wished-for support. Interviews were conducted with six class teachers in Finland, and the data were analyzed through qualitative content analysis. Four main categories and 18 subcategories were found. The main categories were: Class teachers’ experiences of their responsibility, Warning signs of mental illness in students, Impact of the workload, Class teachers’ perceptions on work structure. Further research could focus on creating and evaluating specific indicators and routines to facilitate class teachers’ early identification of mental illness among pupils.