Connectedness is a funny word, but it means just what it sounds like—being linked or related to something or someone. Personal and social connectedness is the sense of belonging and maintaining strong relationships with other people. It might be with others in communities, families, or social networks. For some, it may be only one or two others. Connectedness is a fundamental human need that supports emotional well-being, mental health, resilience, and overall life satisfaction.
The Importance of Social Connectedness
Strong social connections provide benefits for overall well-being that you seldom overtly consider. Even though you might not intentionally seek them out, those connections are important. They help reduce feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression.
Believe it or not, having strong social ties leads to lower stress levels, improved immune function, and even a longer life expectancy. Emotionally, a supportive network offers encouragement, validation, and assistance during difficult times.
Being part of a group—whether family, friends, or a community—gives people a sense of belonging, self-worth, and purpose. As we age, interacting with others helps keep the mind sharp and lowers the risk of cognitive decline.
You Can Strengthen Social Connections
While connectedness is a natural part of human nature, you can purposefully strengthen those connections. Actively engaging in meaningful interactions helps build supportive relationships. Making time for conversations with loved ones helps build stronger bonds at home. Joining groups or communities like clubs, volunteer organizations, or religious groups provides opportunities for deeper social ties.
A supportive friend who offers help, expresses gratitude, and is present during difficult times helps you overcome obstacles and recover from negative experiences. For many people, participating in activities like exercising, cooking, or attending events together strengthens social bonds.
Sometimes, you have to make a conscious effort to actively listen to others. Connections strengthen when you show genuine interest in what people say and engage in thoughtful conversations. When given an option, being physically present is more effective than relying on technology-based communication that limits personal interactions.
Connectedness in Schools
Strengthening connectedness in schools is part of establishing a supportive, inclusive, and engaging learning environment. Research shows that students who feel connected to their school community perform better academically, have fewer behavioral issues, and experience improved mental health.
It starts with the classroom teacher on the first day of school. Teachers know that building strong student-teacher relationships helps them create a positive learning environment. Students should be treated as individuals, not just members of the class. Simple acts like greeting them by name, learning about their interests, and monitoring their well-being will engender a sense of belonging and trust.
Mentorship programs that pair students with teachers or older peers can provide valuable guidance and another layer of support for some students, especially if they have experienced trauma or loss and struggle socially or academically.
Peer Connections
Encouraging peer connections in schools helps students build strong social relationships within the school community. Teachers encourage those relationships by organizing collaborative learning through group projects and peer discussion. Because joining a group enhances a sense of belonging and engagement in the school environment, schools that promote participation in clubs and organizations give students the opportunity to form connections based on shared interests. Developing relationships through teamwork is a natural way for children to learn communication skills both in the classroom and by participating in sports, academic competitions, and club activities.
Students who enroll after the school year has started, are newcomers to the area, or are English language learners from other countries will benefit from participating in buddy or ambassador programs. Volunteers acting as guides and mentors help them integrate socially.
A Culture of Caring
A positive school environment is inclusive and supportive, and all students feel valued and respected. Students and staff collaborate in planning events and programs and encourage participation. It takes time and strategic planning to create and sustained effort to maintain.
Everyone wants to be recognized and valued for who they are. Schools can foster awareness by recognizing, celebrating, and honoring the diverse backgrounds, cultures, and traditions within the school community. A culture that promotes kindness, empathy, and effective conflict resolution strategies is the foundation of a safe and supportive learning environment.
Establishing clear behavioral expectations and setting rules that emphasize respect, inclusion, and accountability for all students is fundamental. This means replacing punitive disciplinary policies with positive reinforcement strategies that focus on identifying and addressing the underlying causes of negative behavior.
The Importance of Family Engagement
Educators will tell you that one of their greatest challenges is convincing parents to be more actively engaged in their child’s education and with the school community in general. Yet, they all agree that increasing family and community engagement is essential for fostering a strong support system for students.
Hosting family nights and open houses provides opportunities for families, teachers, and students to connect and build relationships in a welcoming environment. But that is a starting place. Schools need to provide hands-on data and tools that empower parents to be directly involved with their students’ academic and social growth.
Encouraging parent volunteer opportunities is another way for families to take an active role in school activities and decision-making. Beyond sponsoring basic volunteer programs, schools can take family engagement to the next level by providing ongoing training and leadership roles to expand parents’ connections to the school.
Schools that are willing to expand their efforts to engage the whole community should reach out to build partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and community leaders. Those relationships enrich students' learning experiences and expand their access to valuable resources.
Mental Health and Well-Being
Although schools are aware that supporting student mental health and well-being is part of a positive and productive learning environment, it is often a challenge.
Ideally, students should have access to counselors and support staff who can help them address emotional and mental health challenges. In reality, many schools lack the funds to hire and retain mental health professionals when they can even find them. They must seek creative options. Today, telehealth has made mental health care more accessible to students, especially in rural areas. Another strategy is to build relationships with community health providers that benefit both the schools and the organizations they work with.
Integrating mindfulness and social-emotional learning (SEL) is becoming more common across the country, although politics have caused some states to eliminate those programs. SEL helps students develop self-awareness, empathy, and strong relationship-building skills. It also helps build resilience, coping, and problem-solving skills.
By prioritizing mental health and well-being, schools can cultivate a supportive atmosphere where students feel valued, understood, and empowered to succeed.
Suicide Prevention in Schools
Connectedness is known to be a critical protective factor against suicide. Research shows that when children and teens experience severe distress, if they feel connected to their school, family, and social networks, they may be more likely to take advantage of those safety nets.
Reducing isolation is crucial, as feeling disconnected is a significant risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Supportive relationships provide emotional support, offering students coping mechanisms and encouragement during challenging times.
Students who feel connected to their schools, family, and community are more likely to seek help, confide in someone they trust, and access mental health resources when needed. A strong sense of belonging also contributes to a positive school climate, where inclusion, kindness, and open dialogue help reduce stigma around mental health struggles. By prioritizing connectedness, schools can create a culture of caring that promotes student well-being and resilience.
Go Beyond the Basics
Adult Interaction
Teachers and school staff interact with students every day. When they’re trained to recognize warning signs of distress and respond with empathy and understanding, they provide meaningful support. The simple acts of greeting students by name and showing interest in their lives form the foundation of positive relationships. Being willing to ask questions and talk with students who appear withdrawn, anxious, or struggling lets them know that they are seen and supported. When students feel valued and understood, they are more likely to seek help when needed.
Peer Support
Encouraging peer support and friendships is part of fostering a sense of belonging and emotional well-being among students. Peer mentoring and buddy programs help students build supportive connections with their peers. Schools that teach social-emotional learning (SEL) equip their students with tools they need to interact in positive ways. You can’t assume that skills like empathy, active listening, and providing support to one another are innate. They must be intentionally taught and practiced.
Connect With Families
Because of the stigma that surrounds mental illness, parents often resist acknowledging that their children are experiencing behavioral or mental health difficulties or disorders. It is important for school staff to understand their perspectives when they discuss concerns with parents. Just as with students, teachers and counselors need to build relationships with parents so they can work together.
Educating parents to notice mental health issues just as they would any physical injury or illness is the first step. Schools should teach them to recognize warning signs and take action. Encourage families to create safe spaces at home where children feel comfortable discussing their emotions and struggles. Maintaining regular communication to keep families informed about mental health initiatives and available resources promotes a collaborative approach to student well-being.
Maintain a Safe and Supportive School Climate
Normalizing mental health discussions—whether through classroom conversations, posters, or school-wide campaigns—helps break the stigma and lets students know it’s okay to talk about their struggles. Student-led programs are available that teach children and teens how to create safe spaces and initiate support groups where they can openly talk about their feelings and connect with adults when they need guidance.
All students should be trained to recognize suicide warning signs and respond appropriately. Some schools print resources like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on student ID cards so students know where to turn for help.
Take Action!
Schools can make a real difference in suicide prevention by creating a culture of caring, awareness, and support. Hosting Suicide Prevention Awareness Days is a great way to educate students and staff about mental health and the importance of looking out for one another. Encouraging students to check in on their friends and speak up if they’re worried about someone helps build a community where people feel safe reaching out. Setting up anonymous reporting systems also gives students a way to express concerns—whether about themselves or others—without fear or judgment. When schools take these steps, they send a clear message: no one has to struggle alone.
A
Culture of Caring: A Suicide Prevention Guide for Schools (K-12) was
created as a resource for educators who want to know how to get started and
what steps to take to create a suicide prevention plan that will work for their
schools and districts. It is written from my perspective as a school principal
and survivor of suicide loss, not an expert in psychology or counseling. I hope
that any teacher, school counselor, psychologist, principal, or district
administrator can pick up this book, flip to a chapter, and easily find helpful
answers to the questions they are likely to have about what schools can do to
prevent suicide.
