Improving Adolescents' Feelings of School Belonging to Enhance Well-Being and Academic Achievement

Abstract

This practicum project was focused on the intersection of spirituality, religiosity, and mental health and how they affect high school age female adolescents. I volunteered at Notre Dame High School and had the opportunity to shadow the campus minister, guidance counselors, and educators who tied elements of mental health, spiritual development, and wellbeing into their curriculum. My observational experiences showed me that student success both inside and outside of the classroom is facilitated by intentional and supportive mentor and peer relationships. For this project, I conducted a literature review to identify current evidence-based trends for simultaneously supporting mental health and spiritual development among students. Since mental health support and spiritual development are not standardized across education systems, my project has strong practical relevance. My hope is to inform other high schools of the potential opportunities to more directly discuss the educational intersection between spiritual development and mental health support.