How does SEL connect or benefit other health factors including academics?

So far in this blog I have take a deeper dive into SEL and what it encompasses. I’ve been really focused on the definition of SEL, how we manage the learning in the current school system, resources and tools.

But so what now? Why do we actually focus on SEL? I’ve spoken about the benefits it provides for mental health and its connection to emotional regulation but how do we keep building on this?

And what’s the bigger picture. How does SEL connect to other health factors and what is the research saying about why educators should continue to focus on SEL.

This video sheds some light on the bigger picture of why educators are focussing more on SEL as a way of increasing and improving other health factors including academic achievement.

We have looked at CASEL in previous blog posts, but here is what they have to say about the research in this area:

“When students have supportive relationships and opportunities to develop and practice social, emotional, and cognitive skills across many different contexts, academic learning accelerates.”

“While SEL does not replace the need for mental health interventions for students who need it, SEL can cultivate important “protective factors”—caring relationships, safe and supportive environments, social and emotional skills—that buffer against mental health risks.”

“Students who engage in SEL programs see consistent improvements in social and emotional skills, and stronger social and emotional skills contribute to positive lifetime outcomes up to 18 years later. Students with stronger social and emotional skills are more likely to reach milestones”

“Analysis of six evidence-based programs has demonstrated that the benefits significantly outweigh the costs, estimating for every dollar invested in SEL there is an $11 return.”

“SEL is consistently effective across demographic groups; socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds; and urban, suburban, and rural communities both inside and outside the United States.”

“A growing body of evidence demonstrates that focusing on educator social and emotional competence can also improve teacher well-being.”

The above was take directly from CASEL’s website and provides additional links into the research

What Does the Research Say?
The link to CASEL not only provides great information but there are also numerous other link to research and information that you may want to look further info.

It has also been shown that SEL has impacts on overall health. Here are some benefits that are correlated with SEL:

-strengthen your immune system.

-decrease loneliness which can have dramatic impacts on health including disrupted sleep patterns, increased cortisol levels.

-lower rates of dementia and mental health decline.

-lower rates of obesity.

-increase overall mental health and a key factor in long term psychological resilience.

-lower levels of self destructive behaviours.

-healthy individuals also make for healthier communities.

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Strong-relationships-strong-health

https://orilearning.com/the-long-term-benefits-of-social-emotional-learning-from-school-to-adulthood/#:~:text=Lasting%20benefits%20of%20SEL%20to,a%20healthier%2C%20happier%20life%20overall.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. As we can see, the benefits are about so much more than teaching children how to self-regulate and get along with their peers. SEL benefits us throughout our entire lives. SEL promotes health in every way possible and it’s important that adults continue to learn.

Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash