CHART Lab

social connection toolkit

HELP US build GREATER social connection for youth

We’re developing a toolkit of strategies and initiatives that foster social connectedness in school communities. We are calling on educators, health professionals, community leaders, and researchers to share your ideas—whether it’s a classroom practice, a school-wide initiative, or a community event.  

We know, from research and our own experiences, that feeling connected to others makes us happier and healthier. This is true for youth too- young people with a greater sense of peer, school and community belonging, who feel they have the support of 2 or more non-parental adults, enjoy better mental health and well-being.

We invite you to be part of an exciting new initiative to support youth well-being by enhancing social connection in school communities! 

What are we looking for?

We’re interested in strategies that support Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs), including peer support, school belonging, adult-youth relationships, and community connections.  

💡Ready to Share Your Idea?

Click below to submit your strategy: 

👉 Please follow this link.

What happens next?

An expert panel of researchers, youth and practitioners will review submissions, and the selected ones will be included in upcoming iterations of the Social Connection Toolkit, which is being piloted in BC school districts. We hope to test which initiatives have the strongest impact on social connection for youth, and which initiatives work best for which people. We plan to make this toolkit freely available to the public afterwards. 

*Photo by S. H. Gue on Unsplash