A Pilot Study to Understand the Emerging Perspective of Inclusive School and Mental Health Paradigms

Abstract Inclusive schools are schools where all students get equal opportunities to learn and receive equal treatment. Inclusive schools promote diversity by providing a healthy environment that accommodates students with disabilities, socioeconomic disadvantages, and differential learning ability. Mental health is an integral aspect of students, teachers and parents for inclusivity in school. The evolving digital sphere is creating the digital divide through social media and online learning platforms among students, teachers and parents, which may lead to mental health issues and inequality among stakeholders, which may affect the ability to learn of students. The inclusive school concept has been rapidly evolving, so there is a need to understand the association between mental health and school inclusion. A pilot study has been designed based on a meta-analysis approach of relevant published research literature. This study addresses the question about how inclusive school resolves mental health challenges, implements relevant policies and merges the socio-emotional framework. This study's results indicate there is a paradigm shift towards trauma-informed education, strategies for holistic well-being and the significant role of teachers in the mentally healthy learning sphere. The study also suggested effective recommendations for upcoming research and policies to promote inclusive school practices that consider mental health as an integral part. Keywords: Inclusive school, Mental health, Digital divide, Socio-emotional framework