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Scaling School Mental Health in PreK-12: Implementation Strategies, Systematic Review and Evidence Map in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region

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Title: Scaling School Mental Health in PreK-12: Implementation Strategies, Systematic Review and Evidence Map in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region
Language: English
Authors: Rasha Sayed Ahm, Mostafa Shaban (ORCID 0000-0001-7822-1653)
Source: Journal of School Health. 2026 96(6).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Preschool Education
Elementary Secondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Preschool Education, Elementary Secondary Education, School Health Services, Health Promotion, Mental Health, Safety, Intervention, School Personnel, Training, Cultural Relevance, Program Implementation
Geographic Terms: Middle East, Africa
DOI: 10.1111/josh.70161
ISSN: 0022-4391
1746-1561
Abstract: Background: Children and adolescents in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) experience a high burden of mental health problems, yet school-based services remain fragmented. Schools offer a strategic platform for prevention and early intervention, but implementation evidence in MENA is limited. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and evidence map of PreK-12 school-based mental health and related health-promoting interventions in MENA countries. Searches were conducted from database inception to August 2025. Implementation strategies were coded using the ERIC framework, and implementation outcomes were classified using Proctor's taxonomy. Findings: Twenty-four studies met inclusion criteria. Interventions included targeted mental health programs, universal promotion initiatives, health-promoting curricula with psychosocial components, and digital safety interventions. Common strategies were training school staff, cultural adaptation, and integration into existing routines. Adoption and feasibility were frequently reported; fidelity, sustainment, cost, and equity outcomes were rarely assessed. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Strengthening school mental health in MENA requires policy integration, structured workforce support, equity-focused implementation metrics, and sustainable financing mechanisms. Conclusions: School-based mental health interventions are increasing across MENA, but systematic implementation planning is essential for long-term scale and impact.
Abstractor: As Provided
Notes: www.ashaweb.org
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1507986
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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PubType: Academic Journal
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  Data: Scaling School Mental Health in PreK-12: Implementation Strategies, Systematic Review and Evidence Map in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rasha+Sayed+Ahm%22">Rasha Sayed Ahm</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mostafa+Shaban%22">Mostafa Shaban</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7822-1653">0000-0001-7822-1653</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+School+Health%22"><i>Journal of School Health</i></searchLink>. 2026 96(6).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: 13
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Early+Childhood+Education%22">Early Childhood Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Preschool+Education%22">Preschool Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Secondary+Education%22">Elementary Secondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Preschool+Education%22">Preschool Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+Secondary+Education%22">Elementary Secondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Health+Services%22">School Health Services</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Health+Promotion%22">Health Promotion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mental+Health%22">Mental Health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Safety%22">Safety</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intervention%22">Intervention</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Personnel%22">School Personnel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Training%22">Training</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+Relevance%22">Cultural Relevance</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Implementation%22">Program Implementation</searchLink>
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  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Middle+East%22">Middle East</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Africa%22">Africa</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1111/josh.70161
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
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  Data: 0022-4391<br />1746-1561
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background: Children and adolescents in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) experience a high burden of mental health problems, yet school-based services remain fragmented. Schools offer a strategic platform for prevention and early intervention, but implementation evidence in MENA is limited. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and evidence map of PreK-12 school-based mental health and related health-promoting interventions in MENA countries. Searches were conducted from database inception to August 2025. Implementation strategies were coded using the ERIC framework, and implementation outcomes were classified using Proctor's taxonomy. Findings: Twenty-four studies met inclusion criteria. Interventions included targeted mental health programs, universal promotion initiatives, health-promoting curricula with psychosocial components, and digital safety interventions. Common strategies were training school staff, cultural adaptation, and integration into existing routines. Adoption and feasibility were frequently reported; fidelity, sustainment, cost, and equity outcomes were rarely assessed. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Strengthening school mental health in MENA requires policy integration, structured workforce support, equity-focused implementation metrics, and sustainable financing mechanisms. Conclusions: School-based mental health interventions are increasing across MENA, but systematic implementation planning is essential for long-term scale and impact.
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  Data: www.ashaweb.org
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  Data: 2026
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  Label: Accession Number
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  Data: EJ1507986
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        Value: 10.1111/josh.70161
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 13
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Preschool Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary Secondary Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Health Services
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      – SubjectFull: Health Promotion
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      – SubjectFull: Mental Health
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      – SubjectFull: Safety
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      – SubjectFull: Intervention
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      – SubjectFull: School Personnel
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      – SubjectFull: Training
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      – SubjectFull: Cultural Relevance
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      – SubjectFull: Program Implementation
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      – SubjectFull: Middle East
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      – SubjectFull: Africa
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    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Scaling School Mental Health in PreK-12: Implementation Strategies, Systematic Review and Evidence Map in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region
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