Αντίληψεις και πρακτικές εκπαιδευτικών πρωτοβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης σχετικά με τη διαχείριση της ψυχικής υγείας παιδιών προσφύγων που φοιτούν στις Δομές Υποδοχής και Εκπαίδευσης Προσφύγων στην Ελλάδα

Abstract

The aim of this research is to present the experiences of the teachers of primary education who teach at the Structures for Refugees’ Reception and Education in Greece. More specifically, an effort is made to explore the views of teachers on the mental health of the refugee children they meet, as well as the techniques or methods used in order to enhance or support the psycho-emotional situation of the refugee children during their stay in Greece. Fifteen teachers of primary education who have been appointed to Structures for Refugees’ Reception and Education during the school years 2018 – 2019, 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 took part in the research. In this qualitative research the data were collected through the method of semi-structured interviews. The data of the research ware analyzed by the use of the method of the interpretive phenomenological approach. The findings of the research show that the teachers highlight the risk factors for the mental health of the refugee children, their surroundings, their family environment, their culture and the racism at the country of reception. The psycho-emotional difficulties of the refugee children such as posttraumatic stress, aggressiveness, impulsivity and insecurity to form relationships, are presented even through the experiences of the teachers. Finally, the mental resilience term is examined and testimonies occur about psychologically resilient children, who despite the adversities and atrocities they have faced, show a positive adaptation and psychological adequacy. It is suggested that this research could contribute in the field of counseling for teachers who serve at Structures for Refugees’ Reception and Education.