Information from the abstract
Background: Recent studies have identified a rise in mental health challenges among children and youth globally. One group at elevated risk of experiencing mental health conditions are out of school children and youth (OOSCY), although addressing their unique challenges remain underrepresented in research on mental health and wellbeing in Southeast Asia. In the region, there are now an estimated 11.8 million OOSCY, a figure that continues to increase and has likely been accelerated by school closures and related impacts of COVID-19 on education systems in the region However, research on the mental health needs of children and young people in the ASEAN region, particularly OOSCY, remains scarce. As a result, efforts to support the mental health needs of OOSCY in Southeast Asia are now a major focus for many regional bodies. The Langkawi Joint Statement of June 2025 calls for crisis-responsive education policies that safeguard learning continuity for OOSCY during challenges such as pandemics and conflict. This commitment reflects a growing consensus on the role that education systems play in preventing, promoting, and responding to mental health conditions amongst young people, and recognises the importance of integrating mental health and psychosocial support into policy and programmatic interventions for OOSCY. Given the lack of research examining both the specific mental health challenges facing OOSCY and relevant, evidence-based interventions that support OOSCY in Southeast Asia, this study aims to investigate the links between mental health challenges, overall wellbeing, and school exclusion among different groups of OOSCY in the Southeast Asia; identify existing system and school-based support systems that effectively promote the wellbeing and educational re-engagement of OOSCY, and provide evidence-based recommendations for integrating mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) into policies and programs for OOSCY.
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Related topics: COVID-19 and Mental Health · School Health and Nursing Education · Youth Substance Use and School Attendance
Thai researcher and institutional participation
Carlo Fernando · Habibah Abdul Rahim · John Arnold Siena · Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization
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