Family and School Environments and Mental Health

Submission Deadline: 31 March 2026 View: 418 Submit to Special Issue

Guest Editors

Assist. Prof. Dr. Weixi Kang

Email: wkang@twc.edu.hk

Affiliation: School of Arts and Humanities, Tung Wah College, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China

Homepage:

Research Interests: personality and mental health; addictive behaviors and mental health; mental health among youth

Prof. Dr. CHAN Chi-Keung Alex

Email: alexckchan@twc.edu.hk

Affiliation: School of Arts and Humanities, Tung Wah College, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China

Homepage:

Research Interests: cyberpsychology; positive education; positive psychology (meaning in life and self-compassion); positive technologies; psychology of religion and spirituality 

Dr. Larry AUYEUNG

Email: larryauyeung@twc.edu.hk

Affiliation: School of Arts and Humanities, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong, 999077, China

Homepage:

Research Interests: person centred care; digital mental health; internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy; positive psychology; well-being 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raymond CHUI Chi-fai

Email: cfchui@hksyu.edu

Affiliation: Department of Social Work, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Hong Kong, 999077, China

Homepage:

Research Interests: cyber-psychology; positive psychology; employment; globalization; immigrant issues; transnationalism; youth well-being

Summary

Mental health challenges among children, adolescents, and families are an escalating global concern, with growing prevalence of anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, and stress-related disorders. Both the family and school environments are pivotal settings for understanding and addressing these concerns, offering opportunities for prevention, early identification, and intervention. However, research in these domains is often fragmented, focusing narrowly on either schools or families in isolation. This Special Issue seeks to bridge that gap by inviting research that centers on mental health within the contexts of family and/or school environments. By emphasizing these two foundational systems in young people’s lives, we aim to generate evidence-based insights that can inform holistic and coordinated approaches to mental well-being. This special issue can generate actionable insights to foster well-being across both domains by embracing diverse methodologies, populations, and cultural contexts.

Aim and Scope
This Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge research on mental health, whether preventive, therapeutic, or policy-oriented, provided it is situated within the context of schools or families settings. Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

· Prevalence, risk, and protective factors in school or family contexts

· Universal, selective, or indicated prevention and intervention programs

· Stakeholder experiences (e.g., students, parents, teachers, caregivers)

· System-level influences (e.g., policies, community partnerships, digital tools)

· Equity, access, and culturally responsive practices in mental health support

Suggested Themes

· Mental health literacy, stigma reduction, and help-seeking in school or family settings

· The mental health of teachers, parents, and caregivers and its impact on youth

· Resilience-building and coping interventions within families and schools

· The role of digital and social media in shaping emotional health at home and in educational settings

· Collaboration between educators, mental health professionals, and families

· Policy issues: funding, implementation, and sustainability of mental health initiatives in schools or homes

· Cross-cultural perspectives and work with underserved or at-risk populations

By centering on family and school environments, this Special Issue aims to spark interdisciplinary dialogue and showcase innovative research that can inform policy, enhance practice, and shape future inquiry into mental health across these critical life domains.

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