Why is BTS using social-emotional learning to support the mental health of youth?
With the aim of ensuring the healthy development of children and youth and promoting positive mental health, Beat the streets Toronto integrates Social-emotional learning into its programs. According to UBC, Social-emotional learning is increasingly recognized as playing a critical role in the promotion of positive mental health and prevention of mental disorders among children and youth. The key objective of SEL programs is to promote the development of five competencies that include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making. The five competencies serve as a substructure for positive social behaviours, skills and mental wellbeing. Positive social behaviours and skills such as building healthy coping strategies, understanding and managing emotions and behaviours, developing self-esteem and confidence, build positive relationships and increasing resilience to deal with life’s challenges.
“Statistically significant associations between measured social-emotional skills in kindergarten and key young adult outcomes across multiple domains of education, employment, criminal activity, substance use and mental health”
Decades of research studies demonstrate the following benefits of SEL:
Improvement in students’ social and emotional skills, attitudes, relationships, academic performance, and perceptions of classroom and school climate
Decline in students’ anxiety, behaviour problems, and substance use
Long-term improvements in students’ skills, attitudes, prosocial behaviour, and academic performance
For the greater benefit of children and youth, SEL is at the core of all our programs and activities here at BTS. Beat the streets recognizes and values the various benefits that SEL has on children and youths and teaches children and youth valuable social-emotional skills to prepare them for the future ahead.
And there you have it, folks!