Mental health and substance abuse have emerged as a major universal challenge, the Philippines included. This study aims to shed light on the mental health and substance use issues from the viewpoint of Junior High School Students. It seeks to explore the difference in knowledge, attitudes, and coping mechanisms through various grade levels. Three hundred ninety (390) students across Grade 7 to 10 from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Laboratory High School (PUPLHS) were asked to participate in the study. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and One-way ANOVA test were used to determine the relationships between the different grade levels and the wide range of dependent variable involved in this study. Results showed significant differences in knowledge and coping mechanisms among different grade levels with the Grade 9 Students exhibiting remarkable improvements in coping-cognitive reappraisal and problem-solving capabilities. Yet, a decline in religious coping mechanisms was detected among students in the higher grade level. The findings highlight the value of customized educational programs that incorporates support mechanisms to nurture the students’ coping skills. It likewise emphasized the value of a good intervention system through collaboration among administrators, educators, parents, and health professionals to enable learners deal with mental stress. Mental health education must be embedded into the curriculum with structured activities and exercises to guarantee that students foster life-long coping skills during this formative stage in their lives. Further research is proposed to investigate the root causes contributing to the regression in religious coping mechanisms across higher grade level.

Authors:
Christian Villegas, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Philippines
Isaiah Crisostomo, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Philippines
Ana Kristina Eraga, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Philippines
Maria Lourdes Rebulanan, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Philippines
Zacky Taplac, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Philippines
Mary Joy Villalino, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Philippines

About the Presenter(s)
Mr. Christian Villegas is an Associate Professor at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. He is interested in education research and focuses on improving teaching methods and school leadership.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chvillegas15

Connect on ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Christian_Villegas4

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