A Qualitative Study: Examining California HOSA Students' Involvement in Practicing and Promoting Mental Wellness

• In Event: Factors Impacting Career and Technical Education Outcomes

Abstract

HOSA is a nationally recognized Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) that operates inside schools. HOSA is an integral part of career technical education (CTE) and academic curriculum. California HOSA’s (Cal-HOSA) prevention, early identification, and early intervention project highlights a unique connection between mental wellness and CTE and changing youths’ career trajectory to the mental health field. A total of 94 semi-structured interviews were done with students enrolled in a Cal-HOSA Chapter. Overall, we found that Cal-HOSA students were more likely to demonstrate positive attitudes consistent with being well-informed and active participants in experiential learning activities regarding mental health. In this session, evidence will show a CTSO keeping students engaged, helping student's trajectory toward wellness, and discovering their career interests.

Author

• Gustavo Loera, American Institutes for Research