Enhancing Mental Health Awareness in Education: Exploring the representation of depression and anxiety in contemporary young adult literature and its EFL classroom applications

Abstract

This thesis seeks to explore how contemporary Young Adult Literature (YAL) depicts mental health, and its applicability and significance for teaching in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom. Since teachers may feel unprepared and unequipped when dealing with mental health issues, this research aims to offer teachers a framework for including YAL that addresses depression, anxiety, and other concerns in EFL courses. This thesis explores theories related to YAL and YAL as a literary category and the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and other social influences on adolescents. Subsequently, a literary analysis is conducted, focused on two contemporary YAL novels with mental health themes: Adib Khorram's Darius the Great is Not Okay (2018), which addresses depression, and Sophie Kinsella's Finding Audrey (2016), which addresses anxiety. Through close reading of these novels the research seeks to assess their representation of these mental health issues as well as their applicability/relatability to adolescent audiences. Analysis was performed using a qualitative research design with literary analysis concepts as its theoretical base, as well as data and research on depression, anxiety, and social and societal influences. This approach enabled an in-depth investigation of each novel's representation of mental health issues, potential impact on students and effectiveness when used within EFL curriculums. After conducting the analysis, this thesis evaluates and discusses potential didactic strategies for using YAL in EFL classrooms. The objective is to give educators an understanding of YAL as a means of addressing mental health issues within EFL settings while offering practical advice for its implementation. YAL may foster empathy while simultaneously stimulating discussions regarding mental health topics while increasing language acquisition through engaging and relevant content. The findings of this research suggests that YAL may prove highly effective at teaching and promoting understanding of mental health issues. By exploring representations of mental health in YAL as well as potential ways they could be implemented into EFL classrooms, this thesis contributes to ongoing conversations surrounding mental health education and its significance in adolescent development. Furthermore, this thesis highlights the need for increased attention on mental health in EFL core curriculum while offering promising solutions through YAL for addressing this crucial matter