How Can Social- Emotional Learning Skills Prevent Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours?

SEL Comptencies Addresses Suicide Risks

The 5 SEL core competencies each directly address different suicide risk factors.

Primary Prevention

Strengthening SEL skills in youth can help prevent suicide.  

Strengthen Protective Factors & Enhance Resilience

SEL school-based programs strengthen SEL skills that have the potential to mitigate suicide related risks.

The Relationship Between
SEL Competencies & Suicide Risk Factors 

 Each individual and social suicide risks can be addressed by multiple SEL competencies.
You can use this table to identify which SEL competency can bolster student’s needs and prevent suicide risks in your school.

Self-Awareness Self-Management Responsible
Decision-Making		 Social Awareness Relationship Skills
Loneliness & Social Isolation X X X
Limited Coping & Problem Solving X X
Hopelessness X X
Poor Self-Perception X   
Poor Mental Health  X X  X
Relationship Problems   X    X X
Lack of Social Support      X X X

 

Below is a summary of each SEL competency and how it can be used to support protective factors that prevent suicide risks. School-based programs that aim to strengthen specific SEL competencies are also listed.

What is Self-Awareness? The ability to understand one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values – and how they influence behaviour. It includes recognizing one’s own strengths, limitations, and sense of confidence.

How does Self-Awareness address Suicide Risk Factors?

  • Poor Self-Perception: Increases recognition of personal strengths & builds self-worth.
  • Hopelessness: Supports recognizing emotions & reframing negative beliefs.
  • Poor Mental Health: Builds awareness of emotional changes.
  • Loneliness & Social Isolation: Improves understanding of one’s social needs.

What SEL programs target Self-Awareness?

What is Self-Management? The skills used to regulate emotions, thoughts, and actions. This includes managing stress, staying motivated, setting goals, and controlling impulses.

How does Self-Management address Suicide Risk Factors?

  • Limited Coping & Problem-Solving Skills: Fosters goal-oriented behaviours and emotional resilience.
  • Poor Mental Health: Builds skills for stress management & emotional regulation.
  • Hopelessness: Establishes goals & builds motivation.
  • Relationship Problems: Improves emotion regulation & reduces conflict.

What SEL programs target Self-Management?

What is Responsible Decision-Making? The capacity to make caring, ethical, and safe choices. It involves thinking through consequences, considering the well-being of self and others, and evaluating the impact of actions.

How does Responsible Decision-Making address Suicide Risk Factors?

  • Limited Coping & Problem-Solving Skills: Fosters emotional resilience, enhanced interpersonal skills, & greater sense of self worth.
  • Poor Mental Health: Supports recognizing unsafe situations & seeking help.
  • Impulsivity: Reduces self-destructive behaviours, improves emotion regulation, & promotes better decision making skills.
  • Lack of social support: Increases leadership skills, relational communication, & help-seeking behaviour.

What SEL programs targets Responsible Decision-Making?

What is Social Awareness? The ability to understand and empathize with others while considering complex socio-cultural contexts. It involves recognizing social cues, showing compassion, and understanding broader social norms.

How does Social Awareness address Suicide Risk Factors?

  • Loneliness & Social Isolation: Builds skills for connection.
  • Relationship Problems: Improves mutual understanding through empathy.
  • Lack of Social Support: Increases direct engagement with peers & identification of supportive adults.

What SEL programs target Social Awareness?

What are Relationship Skills? The abilities needed to build and maintain healthy, supportive relationships. This includes communicating clearly, cooperating, resolving conflicts, seeking help, and showing respect for others.

How does Relationship Skills address Suicide Risk Factors?

  • Relationship Problems: Improves support seeking, perspective taking, communication, & conflict resolution skills.
  • Lack of Social Support: Forms supportive positive relationships with peers and adults through building friendship skills, empathy, & emotional understanding.
  • Loneliness & Social Isolation: Improves emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, & mindfulness to enhance a sense of optimism and resilience.

What SEL programs targets Relationship Skills?