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 teenagers' mental well-being and help reduce absences, according to new findings from The University of Manchester's #BeeWell program. The large-scale study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry shows that while poor mental health can drive disengagement from school, positive day-to-day school experiences play a critical role in protecting young people.