Can SEL help reduce student stress and improve mental health?

Yes—SEL is like emotional yoga for the brain. It teaches students how to name their feelings, sit with discomfort, and breathe through chaos (instead of flipping a desk). When kids know how to handle anxiety, talk through problems, and ask for help without shame, school becomes less of a stress fest and more of a launchpad. SEL creates a culture of support and safety—no therapy couch required. It won’t solve everything (we see you, teenage angst), but it does give kids healthier ways to cope. Think less spiraling, more grounding. Basically, SEL equips students with mental health first aid skills before life hits them with pop quizzes and existential dread.