In our previous newsletter, we shared highlights from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and Data Summary & Trends Report (2011 – 2021) regarding adolescent health behaviors and experiences among U.S. high school students.
It pointed to the negative trend of mental health among students continuing to worsen following the global COVID-19 pandemic, and it also proposed how school connectedness, “the feeling among adolescents that people at their school care about them, their well-being and success,” plays a crucial role in shaping mental, physical and social growth.
And now, there is further evidence underscoring the effectiveness of social-emotional learning can have on such issues, as noted in the recent Pew Research poll of parental concerns finding that about 75% of parents with school-aged children were “extremely” or “somewhat” worried that their children may struggle with anxiety or depression and bullying at school.
Mental health issues were the top worry for parents across all socioeconomic classes, though the lower the income, the higher the worry: while 38% of middle-income parents and 32% of people with high incomes say they are extremely or very worried that their children might struggle with anxiety or depression at some point, that number jumped to 48% among people with low incomes.
Researchers at universities in the Northeast and their colleagues across the country analyzed SEL’s impact in over 400 studies from the last 13 years, representing the experiences of over half a million K-12 students from more than 50 countries. Their findings strongly suggest “that increased adoption of SEL programming will further support youth to develop both prosocial and civics behaviors that support a healthy and equitable world where all our nation’s students and families are safe to learn.”
They also note that In K-12 settings, USB SEL programs have successfully improved our youth’s social and emotional states, while also boosting school climate and safety.
What is the range of skills and strategies that universal school-based social and emotional learning (USB SEL) programs teach students?
- Develop self-awareness
- Form healthy relationships
- Set goals Make decisions and
- Consider different perspectives.
Students who participated in SEL programs reported better relationships with their teachers, witnessed less violent and aggressive acts at school, and expressed that their school environments have fair policies and rules.
Students can better engage socially when they have a foundation in their own emotions, attitudes and beliefs.
As a leading organization building school connectedness with our SEL program throughout the country, and the mounting studies demonstrating SEL as an effective tool for children’s future, Challenge Day welcomes the opportunity to continue expanding our impact throughout our communities.
