Matthew Murphy - Supporting Mental Health and Well-being in Schools

The presentation highlights a growing problem of student disconnection and declining mental health, with 1 in 3 students reporting they feel disconnected at school. This disconnection contributes to major issues such as 26% chronic absenteeism in U.S. public schools and 84% of schools reporting worsened student behavior. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services underscores the severity of social disconnection, noting that lacking social connection is as dangerous as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.

To address these challenges, the presentation introduces Connection-Based Learning (CBL), defined as academic learning that explicitly teaches relationship-building skills. These skills improve both academic and mental health outcomes, heighten student engagement, deepen understanding, foster peer connections, and build excitement around learning. CBL also aligns with the U.S. Surgeon General's National Strategy for Schools, which calls for developing strategic plans, embedding social connection in curricula, implementing socially based learning opportunities, and fostering supportive school environments.