The Link Between Belonging + Mental Health

May 2023

Dear Challenge Success Community,

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to highlight the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and connection in our school communities.

Our research shows that when young people feel like they belong within their school community, they are more likely to be engaged in their learning, experience higher levels of well-being, and thrive academically and emotionally.

At Challenge Success, we firmly believe this is one of the most crucial ways to promote mental health and well-being among our youth.

Given the many recent events of gun violence and racial trauma across the nation, belonging and connection are more important than ever to students' lives. The Surgeon General's recent advisory also shed light on the epidemic of loneliness and emphasized the healing effects of connection and community. Building strong connections among students, educators, and caregivers helps to create more supportive and inclusive communities that address young people's unique needs and vulnerabilities.

To promote belonging and connection in schools, we encourage schools to focus on the following:

Strengthening relationships: Encourage meaningful connections through mentoring programs, advisory groups, and family/caregiver engagement initiatives.
Creating safe spaces: Establish safe and inclusive environments where all students feel respected, valued, and celebrated for who they are.
Elevating student voice and agency: Empower students to actively participate in decision-making processes, collect and act on student feedback, and create opportunities for co-design.
Promoting culturally responsive practices: Create an environment that ensures all students feel seen, heard, and supported.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we encourage everyone to reflect on the importance of belonging and connection, consider ways to support our youth, and collectively work towards positive change. Together, we can create school communities that uplift and empower every individual. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support of Challenge Success and your partnership in this consequential work.

Warm regards,

Megan Pacheco

Executive Director

Upcoming Events

For Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers of Preschool - 2nd Graders

Join us as we discuss research-based strategies for raising healthy preschoolers and early elementary-age children. We’ll explore how to encourage autonomy, cultivate resilience, and promote well-being. We’ll share tips to establish practices in our families and schools that buffer against negative pressures that may interfere with healthy child development.

If you’re interested in purchasing a school pass so your whole school community (parents + educators) can attend next week, please reach out!

For K-12 Educators

Attend our interactive PD where you can expect to have tasty food, meaningful connections, and most importantly, explore an iterative, continuous improvement practice we use in our own work to approach challenges and try out solutions at the classroom, school, and district levels.

Early bird registration ends May 31st.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

Mental Health Resources We Love

THE TREVOR PROJECT RESOURCE CENTER

JED FOUNDATION RESOURCE CENTER

CHILD MIND INSTITUTE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER

CHILDREN’S HEALTH COUNCIL VOICES OF COMPASSION PODCAST

CHANNEL KINDNESS PROJECT OF THE BORN THIS WAY FOUNDATION

DR. LISA DAMOUR: ASK LISA PODCAST

Transform the Student Experience

Challenge Success partners with school communities to elevate student voice and implement research-based, equity-centered strategies that improve student well-being, belonging, and engagement.

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Challenge Success

P.O. Box 20053

Stanford, CA 94305

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