At a glance
As students return to school, we are again reminded of the opportunity to reach young people where they are. CDC recently published its back-to-school toolkit and a new webpage with tips, conversation starters, and resources to support open communication with students.
Dear Colleague
August 30, 2023
Back-to-school season is in full swing. Throughout the month of August and into September, students across the country are starting new classes, adjusting to new routines, and building or reestablishing connections with friends and school staff. The start of the new school year is a good time to reflect on what young people might need over the coming year, the role schools play in meeting these needs, and how we can support schools to effectively provide the tools and resources needed.
As students return to school, we are again reminded of the opportunity to reach young people where they are. Given the benefits of improving connectedness for adolescents, CDC prioritizes its commitment to increase the number of young people who feel that adults and peers at their school care about them, their well-being, and their success. Connection at school is essential for young people—whether it is to a Genders and Sexualities Alliance advisor who provides a safe space for them to be themselves, a mentor who sees their unique strengths and empowers them, a teacher who says hello in the hallway every day, or a friend they can sit with at lunch. When youth feel connected and engaged in school, the positive impact on their health and well-being, including their mental health, is significant and long-lasting.
The opportunity to build connection extends beyond the classroom. Families, parents, and caregivers also play a critical role in ensuring youth are supported and engaged. CDC recently published its back-to-school toolkit and a new webpage with tips, conversation starters, and resources to support open communication between parents or caregivers and their children and strengthen family connectedness. Similar to the impact of school connectedness, when young people feel close to and understood by their families, they are less likely to experience negative health outcomes related to sexual risk, substance use, violence, and mental health during adolescence and into adulthood.
Since releasing the latest national Youth Risk Behavior Survey data, which highlighted a continuing mental health crisis among young people, we have been building and strengthening partnerships to ensure that we are tackling the issues facing adolescents as a collective. Strong partnerships with organizations like yours that are invested in supporting young people help to accelerate the implementation of effective strategies. Together, we can reach more youth and support all students to reverse the negative trends in adolescent health.
Sincerely,
/Kathleen Ethier/
Kathleen Ethier, PhD
Director
Division of Adolescent and School Health
National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/
/Jonathan Mermin/
Jonathan H. Mermin, MD, MPH
RADM and Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS
Director
National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Stay connected: @DrMerminCDC & Connections