Improving Mental Health Literacy and Reducing Psychological Problems Among Teachers in Zambia: Protocol for Implementation and Evaluation of a Wellness 4 Teachers Email Messaging Program

Abstract

Background: Primary, basic, secondary, and high school teachers are constantly faced with increased work stressors that can result in psychological health challenges such as burnout, anxiety, and depression, and in some cases, physical health problems. It is presently unknown what the mental health literacy levels are or the prevalence and correlates of psychological issues among teachers in Zambia. It is also unknown if an email mental messaging program (Wellness4Teachers) would effectively reduce burnout and associated psychological problems and improve mental health literacy among teachers. Objective: The primary objectives of this study are to determine if daily supportive email messages plus weekly mental health literacy information delivered via email can help improve mental health literacy and reduce the prevalence of moderate to high stress symptoms, burnout, moderate to high anxiety symptoms, moderate to high depression symptoms, and low resilience among school teachers in Zambia. The secondary objectives of this study are to evaluate the baseline prevalence and correlates of moderate to high stress, burnout, moderate to high anxiety, moderate to high depression, and low resilience among school teachers in Zambia. Methods: This is a quantitative longitudinal and cross-sessional study. Data will be collected at the baseline (the onset of the program), 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months (the program midpoint), and 12 months (the end point) using web-based surveys. Individual teachers will subscribe by accepting an invitation to do so from the Lusaka Apex Medical University organizational account on the Resilience N Hope web-based application. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 25 with descriptive and inferential statistics. Outcome measures will be evaluated using standardized rating scales. Results: The Wellness 4 Teachers email program is expected to improve the participating teachers’ mental health literacy and well-being. It is anticipated that the prevalence of stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, and low resilience among teachers in Zambia will be similar to those reported in other jurisdictions. In addition, it is expected that demographic, socioeconomic, and organizational factors, class size, and grade teaching will be associated with burnout and other psychological disorders among teachers, as indicated in the literature. Results are expected 2 years after the program’s launch. Conclusions: The Wellness 4 Teachers email program will provide essential insight into the prevalence and correlates of psychological problems among teachers in Zambia and the program’s impact on subscribers’mental health literacy and well-being.