ADVANCING MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY FOR SUSTAINABLE CITIZENSHIP THROUGH EDUCATIONAL IMPERATIVES IN ALIGNMENT WITH OMAN VISION 2040

Abstract

Mental health literacy is increasingly acknowledged as a strategic facilitator of sustainable citizenship, especially when examined through the lens of national development such as Oman Vision 2040. This article takes a critical approach that examines the nexus of mental health literacy, educational change, and civic engagement in the rapidly shifting socio-educational climate of Oman. Drawing from local policy efforts, processes of institutions, and community-based strategies, this paper will examine how mental health literacy supports the development of citizens who are emotionally resilient, socially engaged, and ethically responsible. Supporting and putting into practice educational priorities under Oman Vision 2040 such as human capital development, inclusive education and societal well-being as key drivers of national development, reinforces that mental health literacy should not merely be considered a public health issue to be addressed, but rather a civic responsibility that adds to individuals capacity to practice self-regulating, empathetic and engaged citizenship. We will assess the current commitment of the Ministry of Education, higher education institutions, and civil society actors to engage in practices that embed mental health competencies in teaching and learning, programming and youth development frameworks. The barriers of stigma, access to services, and policy coherence across educational settings, remains a challenge to positively impact mental health literacy. By thinking about mental health literacy as inherently connected with the broader concerns of sustainable citizenship, this article offers a framework for education priorities that are aligned with developing long-term vision in Oman.