How Schools and Neighborhoods Can Band Together to Best Promote Youth Wellbeing

Posted on March 28, 2025

At International Survey Associates, we aim to report valid, reliable data used to make research-based decisions that drive improvement. We gather perception data from students, teachers, and parents and provide detailed reports to crucial education stakeholders, providing a platform for informed decision-making at the administrative level. In the previous blog post, we discussed individual risk factors that can impact a child’s mental health during the highly emotional middle and high school years. Understanding these factors is most certainly important for parents, but fostering protective factors that can nurture positive child development and youth wellbeing is equally important.

The mental health and well-being of young people are ongoing concerns for parents, educators, and community leaders. As of 2024, 1 in 5 adolescents reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, according to a KFF analysis of a new federal survey of teen health. As children navigate the complexities of adolescence, they require many support systems that extend beyond the family unit. Whether parents understand it or not, schools and neighborhoods play impactful roles in shaping a child’s development, offering protective factors that can significantly enhance their mental health. This month’s focus will explore how positive school environments, access to mental health resources, youth involvement in community activities, and safe neighborhoods contribute to youth wellbeing. Additionally, we will discuss how parents can advocate for these protective factors within their communities.

The Role of Positive School Environments Research indicates that schools can significantly influence students’ emotional well-being by creating supportive climates where they feel valued and connected. Positive relationships with peers and caring adults are critical components of this environment. According to studies, higher levels of school connectedness are linked to lower levels of anxiety and depression among students. Strategies for schools may include:

Promoting mental health literacy: Schools could implement programs that educate students about mental health and help them recognize signs of distress in themselves and their peers.
Active creation of positive relationships: Encouraging interactions between students and staff can create a sense of belonging. Teachers who engage with students on a personal level can help cultivate a supportive atmosphere.
Implementing whole-school approaches: A comprehensive strategy that involves all parties—teachers, parents, and students—can enhance the overall school culture and effectively promote mental health initiatives and youth wellbeing.

Importance of Access to Mental Health Services

Schools often serve as the first point of contact for students seeking help. Providing on-site counseling services or partnerships with local mental health organizations can ensure that students receive timely support. Here are a few strategies for improvement:

Integrate mental health services: Schools should collaborate with local mental health providers to offer accessible services directly on campus.
Train staff effectively: Educators should receive training to recognize mental health issues and refer students to appropriate resources.
Create awareness campaigns: Schools can run campaigns to destigmatize seeking help, encouraging students to utilize available resources without fear of judgment.

Benefits of Youth Involvement in Community Activities

Engaging in community activities is another protective factor that promotes youth wellbeing. Participation in extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or local organizations helps adolescents build social skills, develop self-esteem, and make a sense of belonging. Strategies for encouragement could include, but are not limited to the following:

Support extracurricular participation: Parents should encourage their children to join clubs or sports teams that interest them, creating connections with peers who share similar passions.

Promote volunteer opportunities: Community service projects not only benefit the community but also instill values of empathy and responsibility in young people.
Create mentorship programs: Establishing mentorship initiatives where older youths guide younger ones can strengthen community ties while providing valuable support networks.

Strategies for Creating Safe and Supportive Neighborhoods

Children thrive in environments where they feel secure and supported by their community. Parents should advocate for safer neighborhoods by engaging with local leaders and participating in community initiatives. These are a few ways you could incorporate community advocacy strategies:

Engage with local government: Parents can attend town hall meetings or community forums to voice concerns about safety and advocate for resources that benefit youth.
Organize neighborhood watch programs: Collaborating with neighbors to establish safety programs can enhance community cohesion while ensuring a secure environment for children.
Promote safe spaces: Encourage the development of parks, recreational centers, and youth clubs where children can gather safely and engage in positive activities.

Parents and community members can create protective factors that support children’s development by fostering positive school environments, ensuring access to mental health services, encouraging youth involvement in community activities, and advocating for safe neighborhoods. By working together to build supportive communities, we empower youth to navigate the challenges of adolescence with confidence.

By normalizing all of these types of conversations about mental health and what’s best for our children, we can reduce the stigma that surrounds these topics and help students find healthy ways to navigate their world and improve youth wellbeing. If you would like more information on issues like student risk factors, general behavioral stress, depression, addiction, or other mental health-related issues in your communities, International Survey Associates offers many options to fit various needs.

Resources

https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/press-release/roughly-1-in-5-adolescents-report-experiencing-symptoms-of-anxiety-or-depression/

https://bchealthycommunities.ca/index.php/child-and-youth-mental-well-being-resources/

https://nihrecord.nih.gov/2024/08/16/how-developing-community-connections-can-enhance-wellbeing

https://www.mcri.edu.au/news-stories/positive-social-emotional-environments-in-schools-boosts-student-s-mental-health

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/mental-health-action-guide/index.html