While mental health and social-emotional learning are not the same, they do coexist in many ways and can be mutually beneficial when both are developed in a positive way. Social-Emotional Learning, or SEL, focuses on the following: Self-awareness, decision-making, relationship skills, social awareness, and self-management. In comparison, mental health is our psychological, social, and emotional well-being. Putting focus toward developing one’s social-emotional skills can have a positive impact on maintaining a positive mental health. Below, I have highlighted the five competencies of social-emotional learning and how they can impact our mental health.

Self-Awareness

This skill relates to one’s ability to recognize and understand our emotions and how these emotions can influence our behaviors. As we develop a strong sense of self-awareness, we are able to use those skills to improve our psychological, social, and emotional health.

Self-Management

Linked very closely with self-awareness, self-management focuses on the actual behaviors that occur when we react to a situation. It is through developing self-management skills that we are able to deal with a difficult problem in a way that promotes positive mental health. 

Decision-Making

It isn’t very difficult to imagine how poor decision-making skills could lead to a decline in one’s mental health. Social-Emotional Learning focuses on developing the skills to make decisions that will lead to a positive outcome either socially, emotionally, or physically. Once this skill is developed, a person’s mental health will increase as responsible decisions are made by that individual.

Relationship-Skills

This skill certainly focuses on an individual’s ability to build relationships but also includes various methods for fostering positive relationships. The ability to properly communicate and resolve conflict with others is also an important SEL skill. Humans have a fundamental desire to build relationships and without these important SEL skills, our psychological, social, and emotional health will suffer.

Social Awareness

It is important to understand others around you; their motivations, their emotions, and their point of view. The skill of social awareness focuses on developing one’s ability to empathize with and understand others. In social situations it is important to have these skills and when lacking it can cause a decline in your mental health.

Although there is a distinct difference between mental health and social-emotional learning you can see that they are connected. It is important to focus on SEL and mental health beginning with children and continuing throughout the teenage and adult years. Understanding and practicing the various social-emotional skills can aid in developing positive mental health. Putting a focus on building these skills and strengthening one’s mental health can lead to great success both psychologically, socially, and emotionally.

By Hana Damico

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