Mental Health and Well-Being in the Eyes of Students: A Photovoice Study

Introduction: Suicide rates continue to rise, with mental health conditions notably affecting adolescents. This study employed photovoice methodology to explore how adolescents perceive and experience mental health and well-being. Methods: This participatory action research was conducted using photovoice. Participants provided data by generating photographs in response to five prompts. A total of 16 college students, including officers and non-officers, participated in this study. More than 100 photographs were collected, which served as triggers for photo-elicited individual interviews and group discussions. Data analysis followed an interpretive framework, focusing on symbolic expressions, images, and language used by participants. The analysis was participatory and collaborative, integrating insights from individual interviews and group discussions, facilitated through ATLAS.ti version 9. Results: Data analysis revealed that students’ perceptions of mental health pertain to their internal and external dynamics, particularly struggles to manage academic and life challenges. These experiences are contextualized with constant reflections on values and goal attainment. Moreover, mental health and well-being play a significant role in students’ growth and development within a state university. Based on these insights, the Project Gabay Action Plan was developed to promote healthy communication mechanisms and innovative strategies that foster mentally healthy teaching and learning environments. Conclusion: Guided by students’ perspectives of a mentally healthy university, this study proposed a supportive, promotive, preventive, and emancipatory framework named the Project Gabay to maintain and enhance students’ mental health in higher education institutions.