A qualitative exploration of mental health experiences among IBDP students

The burgeoning concern surrounding mental health has become a prevailing issue. Considering the education sector, cut-throat competition among students has led them to experience concerns with their mental health. Although ample research exists on mental health awareness, escalating academic competition has impacted the holistic well-being of students. Research elucidates that the education sector beckons urgent attention to address the emerging mental health needs of the high school students. Thus, this study aims to probe the specific mental health requirements of students enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Conducted using a qualitative research paradigm, this study entailed in-depth interviews of 25 IBDP students. Subsequently, a thematic content analysis was deployed to interpret the emerging themes from the data gathered. The findings illustrated numerous themes such as mental health concerns, self-management, professional development, and other related themes discussed in the paper. This research seeks to enhance the awareness of the IBDP community regarding the mental health challenges experienced by the students. Additionally, it serves as an essential resource for educators, parents and students themselves, empowering them to acknowledge and address these challenges effectively. Furthermore, the results from this study can be utilized to develop a mental health framework tailor made to the needs of IBDP students.