Published Paper Details:

Mental health during adolescence is a critical concern, particularly in relation to school, home, and peer environments. This study examined the mental health of secondary school students in relation to gender and area of residence. A descriptive survey method was employed, and a sample of 200 students was selected using a multistage random sampling technique from the Venghlui Cluster, Aizawl district, Mizoram. Data were collected using the Mental Health Scale (MHS-TSBA) developed by Talesara and Bano (2017). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, and inferential statistics through the independent samples t-tests. The findings indicated that 34.5% students exhibited a moderate level of mental health, although a substantial number also demonstrated poor mental health. No significant difference was found in the level of mental health based on gender; however, a significant difference was observed between male and female students in the school-related domain, with male students demonstrating higher levels of mental health than female students. With regard to area of residence, a significant difference was found in level of mental health, with urban students demonstrating better mental health than rural students. Domain-wise analysis revealed a significant difference in the home-related dimension, with urban students demonstrating higher levels of mental health than rural students, while no significant differences were observed in the school-related and peer group-related domains. The findings highlight the role of contextual factors, particularly family environment and living conditions, in influencing students' mental well-being and underscore the need for targeted school-based mental health interventions.