Iran Launches Comprehensive Student Mental Health Initiative, Identifies Family Factors as Key
In a significant national effort, the Iranian Ministry of Education is expanding its mental health screening program to cover millions of students, with a new focus on identifying and mitigating family-related risk factors.
Nationwide Screening Rollout
According to Ms. Somayeh Alsadat Ebrahimi, Director General of Counseling and Student Support at the Ministry of Education, mental health screenings were conducted for over 8 million individuals last year. This academic year, the program is being extended to all students except those in the 12th grade. The screenings assess eight key components, including depression, anxiety, and self-harm behaviors.
“Immediately after the screening, psychological services begin,” Ebrahimi stated. “If we identify a student suffering from depression, anxiety, self-harm, or who has been subjected to physical or sexual abuse, interventions start at once.”
A Tiered Support System
The ministry has established a tiered intervention model. The first line of support begins with teachers and school counselors within the school itself. If a student’s needs cannot be fully addressed at this level, they are referred to one of the more than 730 specialized psychological counseling centers operational in education districts across the country.
While the prevalence of specific issues varies between provinces, genders, and educational levels, Ebrahimi highlighted a critical national finding: “In almost all provinces of the country, ‘family risk factors’ have the highest frequency.”
Holistic Prevention and Parental Involvement
The initiative encompasses both intervention and prevention. The administration works in coordination with the Parent-Teacher Association to provide training for parents, delivered both in-person and online.
Preventive measures are viewed as a comprehensive endeavor. “We believe prevention is a holistic matter,” Ebrahimi explained. “When we organize field trips, we are doing preventive work because it increases student joy. When we hold cultural and artistic competitions, it is preventive work.”
Innovative Educational Tools
To make these essential life skills more engaging for students, the ministry is introducing a “gamified” approach to learning. Students will be able to access a dedicated platform featuring motion graphics, clips, podcasts, and video casts. They will undertake defined missions and challenges to earn points, creating a dynamic and attractive environment for education.
Furthermore, the program leverages peer-to-peer support through a network of “Student Assistant Counselors.” Last year, 97,000 such assistants were registered in the system, and the number has now grown to 170,000. These trained students help deliver educational content and support to their peers, strengthening the overall safety net for the nation’s youth.