Att stödja barn och ungdomar med psykisk ohälsa : En kvalitativ intervjustudie med skolsköterskor i särskilt utsatta-, utsatta- och riskområden.

Sammanfattning: Fagerstrand, E & Ånmo Sandqvist, H. To support children and youth with mental illness. An qualitative interview study with school nurse professionals in disadvantaged areas. Degree project in pediatric nursing 15 credits. Malmö University: Faculty of Health and Society, Department of Care Science, 2021.  Background: Mental illness among children and youth is increasing in Sweden. At the same time, the social gaps are widening and more and more children and youths are living in disadvantaged areas. It has been established that socio-economic vulnerability is a risk factor for mental illness. The school nurse has a key role in identifying and preventing mental illness at an early stage. Aim: The aim of the study was to shed light on school nurses' experience of supporting children and youth with mental illness in advantaged areas. Method: This was a qualitative study with an inductive approach where data were collected via semi-structured interviews with eight school nurses. The analysis was conducted with content analysis. Results: The analysis resulted in two overarching themes and five categories. The results highlighted that the school nurses' work required a great deal of personal commitment, such as seeing that there was a connection between the social context and mental health. This study highlighted that a well-functioning collaboration was a success factor and that the school nurses used personal relationship building as a tool to counteract mental illness. Conclusion: In order for the school nurse to be able to identify symptoms of mental illness and possible risk factors at an early stage, as well as initiate preventive and health-promoting measures, time, capacity and conditions must be provided. A major risk factor for mental illness among children and youth in disadvantaged areas is the socio-economic vulnerability, which is reflected in the results of this study, so school nurses in these areas bear a great responsibility for health promotion work in schools.    Keywords: Children and youth, Disadvantaged areas, Mental illness, School nurses, Student health.