OBJECTIVES: We describe a school program based on a student manual for promoting mental health and preventing mental illness. METHODS: A preliminary version of the manual was assessed for face validity by two focus groups. The final version was evaluated for acceptability among 253 students in 10 high schools and 1 middle school in Italy. RESULTS: The manual included 18 chapters (or "units") which address skills for enabling students to cope with their daily lives: communication skills, problem-solving, assertive skills, negotiation, stress management, anger management and conflict resolution. The manual was found to have been acceptable by high school students. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of the manual in actually promoting mental health and preventing mental illness is currently being evaluated.
OBJECTIVES: We describe a school program based on a student manual for promoting mental health and preventing mental illness. METHODS: A preliminary version of the manual was assessed for face validity by two focus groups. The final version was evaluated for acceptability among 253 students in 10 high schools and 1 middle school in Italy. RESULTS: The manual included 18 chapters (or "units") which address skills for enabling students to cope with their daily lives: communication skills, problem-solving, assertive skills, negotiation, stress management, anger management and conflict resolution. The manual was found to have been acceptable by high school students. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of the manual in actually promoting mental health and preventing mental illness is currently being evaluated.