Feeling Safe At School: How School Safety Impacts Learning And Mental Health
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Research indicates that a sense of safety is fundamental to a student’s ability to learn and thrive. However, students may face a wide range of threats to their safety and well-being, including bullying, violence, and discrimination, which can undermine their sense of security. Below, explore how perceptions of safety can impact mental health and academic performance and offer helpful strategies for creating safe school environments.
Feeling safe at school: A foundation for learning and growth
A safe learning environment for students, teachers, educators, and families can lead to student success, ensuring students can focus on their education and build healthy connections with peers, teachers, counselors, and administrators. However, threats like bullying, violence, harassment, discrimination, or the presence of weapons or substances can undermine their sense of security. No matter whether in elementary school, middle school, or high school, students can be at risk of safety concerns.
The impact of safety on student mental health
Psychological and physical safety are foundational to well-being, particularly regarding child development. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs places the need for safety above physiological necessities like food and water. Without safety, higher-level functions like learning and social connection cannot be fully achieved, and mental and emotional health may deteriorate.
Research has repeatedly demonstrated a strong connection between perceptions of safety at school and mental health difficulties like depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation and behavior, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as emotional problems and interpersonal issues.
A 2014 study of more than 11,000 secondary school students found that feeling unsafe in school correlated significantly with mental health problems such as these — students who reported feeling “very often unsafe” were eight times more likely to experience mental health challenges compared to those who felt safe.
How school safety affects student achievement
Perceptions of school safety can also affect academic success. A 2015 literature review exploring the relationship between school safety and student achievement found that a safe school environment was a “significant antecedent” for achieving students’ social, academic, and emotional needs.
A sense of security is often necessary for thriving: focusing on learning can be challenging in an environment where a student feels unsafe, and research supports this idea. For example, in a 2010 study of 485 junior high school pupils, those who experienced high levels of fear about future social exclusion or bullying reported difficulties concentrating in class.
Another study that examined the relationship between school safety and academic achievement found that students in safer schools scored significantly higher on grade eight reading and mathematics tests. Using data from 46 schools in one state, the study revealed that lower levels of school violence and fewer disciplinary infractions created better learning environments, enhancing student performance.
Risk factors for school violence
To foster a safe environment for students, understanding the risk factors that may make a child more likely to engage in violence can be helpful. The following characteristics are common among those who commit violence at school, which could include bullying, gang activity, or school shootings:
- Adverse childhood experiences (e.g., child maltreatment, mental illness of a household member, divorce or separation of a parent)
- Lack of parental supervision or involvement
- Exposure to violence
- Positive perceptions of violence
- Patterns of aggression or frustration
- Academic failure
- Availability of drugs or firearms at home
- Negative peer influences
- Social isolation or bullying
Teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders within the school or community can make themselves aware of these risk factors and take appropriate steps to identify at-risk students. With proper support and preventative measures, preventing school violence and ensuring positive outcomes for all students may be more accessible.
How teachers and school leaders can help create a safe learning environment
Creating a safe learning environment requires the active involvement of teachers, administrators, counselors, parents, and other school community members. Together, all can foster a culture of trust, respect, and inclusion. Below are tips for promoting an environment where students feel safe and supported.
Foster an inclusive and respectful school climate
Teachers and school leaders can help create a positive school climate by promoting inclusivity and respect. This process may include encouraging open discussions, celebrating diversity, and addressing problematic behavior promptly. In addition, teachers and administrators can help forge positive relationships by recognizing and rewarding demonstrations of kindness, student achievement, and respectful interactions among peers.
Implement and enforce anti-bullying policies
Clear anti-bullying policies that are regularly enforced may ensure student safety. Teachers and administrators can collaborate to ensure consistent implementation and establish open lines of communication to ensure that instances of bullying are appropriately addressed. Additionally, students can be informed of reporting procedures, support resources, and potential consequences for bullying behaviors.
Promote collaboration between teachers, parents, and the community
Strong partnerships between teachers, parents, and the broader community may support students' safety and success. Regular communication through parent portals and parent-teacher meetings can help facilitate parental cooperation. In addition, close communication with social workers, law enforcement, and other stakeholders within the community can ensure that students receive the resources they need.
Monitor and address school safety concerns proactively
Proactive monitoring of safety concerns may prevent specific issues before they escalate. For example, regular safety audits, anonymous reporting systems, and open communication channels enable schools to promptly identify and address potential risks. Teachers and administrators can work together to develop and update action plans that prioritize student safety.
Create accessible mental health support systems for students
Teachers and administrators can help students receive access to mental health resources like on-site counseling, peer support programs, and referrals to external services. Staff may also periodically stress the importance of mental health and self-care and check in regularly with students to ensure they know how to access support.
Mental health support for students
Students may experience mental and emotional challenges when navigating their social and academic responsibilities. If your child is struggling to cope, connecting them with a mental health professional can help them feel safe at school, as well as at home. Evidence-based treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are well-supported for treating a wide range of adolescent mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
CBT is known to be as effective whether delivered in person or online. Through an online platform like BetterHelp for adults or TeenCounseling for teens aged 13 to 19, clients can attend weekly virtual sessions with a licensed mental health professional, plus benefit from a suite of tools designed to help them get the most out of therapy, like guided journaling, digital CBT worksheets, and more. Online therapy tends to be more affordable than in-person therapy and may be preferable for teens with busy schedules or who prefer to attend from the comfort of home.
Takeaway
Frequently asked questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about school safety.
What can parents do to support school safety initiatives?
Parents can help support their children’s school by maintaining open communication with teachers and administrators, staying informed about school policies, and encouraging their children to report safety concerns. They can also participate in parent-teacher organizations, advocate for safety improvements, and reinforce the importance of respect and inclusivity at home.
How does school safety affect teachers' ability to teach effectively?
When teachers perceive that their classrooms and schools are safe, they can focus more on delivering high-quality instruction rather than managing safety concerns. A secure environment fosters trust and reduces disruptions, allowing teachers to build stronger relationships with students and engage them more effectively. Conversely, unsafe conditions can lead to stress and burnout among teachers, ultimately impacting their ability to create a productive learning atmosphere.
Can safety measures negatively impact the learning environment?
While safety measures are essential, certain approaches can negatively affect students’ perception of safety. For example, excessive use of metal detectors or surveillance cameras can make students more aware of security threats and cause them to believe they are being monitored or distrusted. Strict disciplinary policies may also discourage students from expressing themselves openly. Teachers and administrators can take care to balance effective safety measures with strategies that promote trust.
What does it mean to feel safe at school?
Feeling safe at school can involve a combination of physical and emotional safety, as well as a sense of belonging among the other students and school staff. Promoting safety generally requires implementing various safety procedures and cultivating an environment where everyone knows they are welcome and feels empowered to get involved in the community.
What is the right to feel safe at school?
The right to feel safe at school usually refers to physical safety, but it can also involve a sense of emotional safety. A school should be a safe space for those of diverse backgrounds to come together and learn.
What makes a student feel safe?
Students typically feel safe when they know their physical health is protected from events like school shootings, as well as when they have friends and staff members, such as school counselors, to turn to when they need support. When a staff member conducts regular check-ins, this can be a unique opportunity to reinforce students’ emotional safety. This may be especially true in cases where students have experienced trauma in the past or tend to worry frequently.
How can I be safe when going to school?
You can promote safety at school by learning about your school’s policies and procedures, reporting any activity that seems suspicious, and maintaining awareness of your surroundings. School should be a safe place for people from all groups and backgrounds.
What should I do if I don't feel safe at school?
If you don’t feel safe at school, your first step should be to speak to a trusted adult. This might be your parents, guardians, teacher, or school counselor. Depending on the reason why you aren’t feeling safe, your next steps may vary, but a trusted adult should be able to help you navigate the situation.
Why is it important to be safe at school?
In general, a sense of safety improves academic outcomes and overall student success. It can also help students thrive socially and emotionally.
How do teachers feel about school safety?
Surveys suggest that the majority of teachers are concerned about school safety. However, the answer to this question will likely vary by person. For the most part, teachers seem to care deeply about school safety and would like to implement additional measures to ensure it. For example, if they teach at an open campus, they might be interested in starting a practice of requiring key cards or other access credentials to enter the building.
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