Building Students’ Mental Health Through Social and Emotional Learning

Guidance Branch, Ministry of Education

Good mental health in childhood contributes to optimal psychological development and social relationships, effective learning, an ability to care for self, good physical health and effective economic participation as adults.[1] The key strategy of the Ministry of Education for promoting students’ mental wellbeing is Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). This involves helping students acquire a set of social and emotional competencies in the domains of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship management and responsible decision making. The paper reflects on the concept of mental health in our children and youths and how school-wide implementation of SEL contributes to their mental health.

[1] World Health Organisation (2005). Mental Health Policy and Service Guidance Package: Child and adolescent mental health policies and plans. Geneva: WHO, p.7.