At a glance
- Creating safe and supportive environments in schools means focusing on parts of the school environment that encourage students to be more engaged in school life. Such environments also encourage students to feel connected to important adults at school and at home.
- Ensuring students are connected to their schools and families is an important protective factor. This can reduce students' risk for a number of negative health outcomes including poor mental health, sexual risks, substance abuse, and exposure to violence.
Protective factors
Protective factors, such as feeling connected, also help:
- Reduce substance use and mental health issues.
- Keep students from committing or being victims of violence.
These behaviors and experiences noted above are associated with sexual risk and poor academic outcomes.
School environments that are safe and supportive connect adolescents to a network of caring peers and adults. This network includes parents, other primary caregivers, and teachers.
Keep Reading:
Safe and Supportive School Environments
Did you know?
Promoting safe and supportive environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) youth helps all students thrive.
Increasing student access to programs and services
Positive youth development programs build identity and guide youth away from risky behaviors.
Gay-Straight/Genders and Sexualities Alliances improve safety and connectedness for students.
Strengthening school staff capacity
Key learning objectives for schools to build core competencies for supporting LGBTQ+ youth.
Classroom management leads to decreased disruptive behaviors and increased academic-related outcomes.
