How School Nurses Experience Their Work with Schoolchildren Who Have Mental Illness – A Qualitative Study in a Swedish Context

BACKGROUND: Reports from research have shown that mental illness has increased dramatically in recent years and is currently one of the biggest problems among Swedish children and adolescents. AIM: The aim of this study was to describe how Swedish school nurses experience their work with schoolchildren who have mental illness METHOD: Data were gained by individual interviews with school nurses (n = 10) and were analyzed by using manifest qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The results of the study showed that school nurses used various tools when working with schoolchildren who have mental illness. The working tools were regular health talks, motivational interviewing, individual counseling, family counseling, creating trust, and affirming the child’s confidence. CONCLUSION: Results of the study demonstrate the need for further research on schoolchildren’s experience of getting help and support from the school nurse.