Could school programs based on social-emotional learning prevent substance abuse among adolescents?

Abstract

In this editorial, we comment on the article Adolescent suicide risk factors and the integration of social-emotional skills in school-based prevention programs by Liu et al. While the article focused on the issue of suicide and social-emotional learning programs as a possible intervention, we here discuss evidence of other reported outcomes and if it could be an effective way to prevent substance abuse among adolescents.

Keywords: Social-emotional learning; Substance use; Adolescent; Student; Prevention; Mental health

Core Tip: School programs based on social-emotional learning (SEL) are a powerful, well-established, cost-effective intervention to prevent multiple adverse outcomes. They focus on integrating social and emotional skills in school activities, improving relationships, and creating a better environment that leads to better student development. In the last three decades, they have consistently improved multiple domains that are also shared as risk and protective factors for substance abuse among adolescents. This article will discuss whether SEL-based programs could be an effective way to prevent substance-related outcomes in adolescents.