Feeling connected at school aids pupil mental health and attendance, study finds

Strong relationships with school staff and a sense of belonging at school can protect adolescents’ mental wellbeing and help reduce absences, according to new findings from the University of Manchester’s #BeeWell programme. The large-scale study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry shows that while poor mental health can lead to school disengagement, positive everyday school experiences play a vital role in protecting young people.