Red Cross learner well-being and mental health
This research aims to analyse the mental health of learners in French Red Cross schools.
Humanitarian and social context and issues
Surveys of students’ living conditions and health show that they are at an age when mental health problems such as major depression, anxiety disorders and substance use disorders are more prevalent. Indeed, they represent a population in which the somatic and psychological dimensions of mental health are potentially involved.
Recent research highlights that the Covid-19-related detentions have exacerbated their vulnerability and seriously affected their mental health due to the uncertainty, urgency, isolation, loss of work meaning and anxiety associated with this period.
What’s more, there are large numbers of women in the bonding professions. Studies show that women are more affected than men during this period.
Few studies have focused specifically on students in these fields. Their exposure to the suffering, illness and social difficulties of the people they work with during their placements increases their psychological vulnerability.
The aim of this research is to shed light on the mental health of students undergoing vocational training at the French Red Cross schools of health and social work.
In this sense, taking an interest in people’s mental health means taking into account several dimensions and understanding how they relate to each other in each individual:
-the somatic dimension of mental health
-The psychological dimension of mental health
-the social dimension of mental health
-the educational dimension
-The learner’s perception of mental health
How do students perceive their wellbeing and mental health in education (at school and during placements) ?
Scope and method of research
The research field will focus on students at Red Cross schools enrolled in courses related to the Link professions. The study will use a mixed method, combining questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The questionnaires will be used to collect quantitative data on students’ living conditions, mental health and training experiences. The interviews will provide a qualitative complement by exploring in more depth the learners’ feelings, difficulties and coping strategies in the face of the psychological and professional challenges they face.
The scientific interest of research and for humanitarian and social actors
Identifying initiatives to promote the well-being and mental health of learners is essential to ensure their development and success, particularly in professions where they will be required to care for others. The first step in identifying these issues is to gain a better understanding of existing support mechanisms, such as psychological counselling, stress management training and discussion forums. These initiatives will need to be analysed to assess their effectiveness and consider improvements or expansion.
By analysing the psychological issues specific to this population, this study aims to fill a gap in the scientific literature. It will provide a better understanding of their specific needs in terms of psychological support and enable us to propose appropriate measures to enhance their well-being, an essential condition for their future role as carers or support workers.
Biography
Jean-Luc Rinaudo is now Professor Emeritus of Education and his research focuses on two main areas. On the one hand, he studies digital practices in the context of education and training, using a psychoanalytic clinical approach. Secondly, he works with students. He has held a number of important positions, including vice-president of the 70th section of the Conseil national des universités, director of the doctoral school Homme, sociétés, risques, territoire, and director of the Civic Laboratory at the University of Rouen. He is a regular speaker at various training institutes, including IFSI, IFMK and IFCS, as well as Cefedem Normandie.