Effective Prevention in New Jersey

MENTAL HEALTH

Learning SEL skills provides students and young people with the abilities required to succeed in life, both within their school and beyond. There are 5 main SEL areas: 1) Self Awareness; 2) Self- Management; 3) Social Awareness; 4) Relationship Skills; and 5) Responsible Decision-Making.

“Although substance use disorder can happen at any time, adolescence is an exceptionally vulnerable time for the first signs of mental illness, drug use and addiction. As reported by NIDA, ‘during a person’s life, drug use typically starts in adolescence, a period when the first signs of mental illness commonly appear. Comorbid disorders can also be seen among youth. …The brain continues to develop through adolescence. Circuits that control executive functions such as decision making and impulse control are among the last to mature, which enhances vulnerability to drug use and the development of a substance use disorder.

self management

Areas 5

responsible decision making

self AWARENESS

MAIN SEL

Early drug use is a strong risk factor for later development of substance use disorders, and it may also be a risk factor for the later occurrence of other mental illnesses. However, this link is not necessarily causative and may reflect shared risk factors including genetic vulnerability, psychosocial experiences, and/or general environmental influences. For example, frequent marijuana use during adolescence can increase the risk of psychosis in adulthood, specifically in individuals who carry a particular gene variant. It is also true that having a mental health disorder in childhood or adolescence can increase the risk of later drug use and the development of a substance use disorder. Some research has found that mental illness may precede a substance use disorder, suggesting that better diagnosis of youth mental illness may help reduce comorbidity. Similarly, other research suggests that youth develop internalizing disorders, including depression and anxiety, prior to developing substance use disorders.’” xxiii Understanding the high comorbidity of substance use disorder and mental disorders should guide your work during your assessment, capacity, and planning phase. Many primary prevention strategies will help reduce the risk factors for both. xxiv

SOCIAL AWARENESS

relationship skills

SEL is important because it provides a positive foundation upon which students can learn about themselves and others in a safe, nurturing school environment. Evidence-based prevention programs are programs that build social emotional learning, often teaching many, if not all, of the five areas of SEL. xxv

Many EBPs address this SEL and for more information on SEL and why it’s essential, please visit: https://sel4nj.org/?link_id=2&can_id=709a1c4243d96d801a30c7f541e694d9 &source=email-sel4nj-sel-statement&email_referrer=email_1257746&email_ subject=sel4nj-sel-statement

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING

Many schools in New Jersey have begun to recognize the importance of Social Emotional Learning (SEL). SEL is the vital framework through which people of all ages acquire skills in working towards their own unique goals, comprehending and managing their emotions, nurturing positive relationships, making informed choices, and feeling and exhibiting empathy.

37

38