Culturally Approachable School Based Psychosocial Support Systems and Adolescents Mental Health in Sri Lanka

Adolescent mental health in Sri Lanka has emerged as a pressing concern shaped by social, environmental, and cultural conditions. Challenges such as substance use, intense academic pressure, weakened family ties, and the long-term effects of national crises have collectively affected young people’s emotional well-being. While schools offer counseling services and mental health programs, many of these systems are modeled on Western frameworks that do not always fit Sri Lankan cultural realities. This qualitative study explores how school-based psychosocial support systems relate to adolescent mental health through a culture-informed lens. Data were collected from students, teachers, parents, and school counselors in both urban and rural schools using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions (We collected data from 48 participants from three schools, each school we collected 5 parents, 5 students, 5 teaches and one counselor). Thematic analysis revealed that cultural norms, religious values, family expectations, and social stigma strongly influence how adolescents perceive and access counseling services. Drawing on these insights, the study proposes a culture-informed framework that blends indigenous Sri Lankan values with evidence-based counseling approaches. The findings contribute to national and global discussions on developing localized, culturally responsive school-based mental health models that reflect the lived realities of Sri Lankan adolescents.