Pandemic Fuels Youth Mental Health Crisis, Schools Turn to SEL Programs
The COVID-19 pandemic has left a significant mark on youth mental health in the United States. Reports show a sharp rise in unhappiness and depression among children and teens, with a surge in mental health care seeking. As schools reopen, social and emotional learning (SEL) programs are seen as crucial to support children's mental well-being.
The pandemic has disrupted children's lives in numerous ways, including loss of social structure, increased food insecurity, and heightened stress. These disruptions have taken a toll on their mental health. To help children manage these challenges, educators are turning to SEL programs. SEL focuses on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
SEL can be integrated into classrooms through various activities. These include daily emotion identification, journaling prompts, reading passages, problem-solving activities, and teamwork exercises. By developing emotional intelligence, or EQ, students learn to recognize, understand, and regulate their own emotions, as well as empathize with others. This helps them deal with stress, resolve conflicts, and build positive relationships. A 2011 study found that SEL programs improve academic performance and have a lasting impact on students and school communities.
As schools reopen, SEL programs are vital in helping children manage stress and readjust to the school environment. By teaching emotional intelligence, these programs support students' mental health and well-being, both during and after the pandemic. Incorporating SEL into classrooms can lead to improved academic performance and stronger school communities.
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