STRENGTHENING SOCIAL CONNECTION IN SCHOOLS AND THE WIDER COMMUNITY POLICY BRIEF
MAKING EVERY SCHOOL A HEALTH PROMOTING SCHOOL Declining levels of social connection have become a pressing global issue, affecting people of all ages, from adolescents to the elderly. In recent years, this has escalated, with particular concern for younger populations and adults, who are experiencing this disconnect at alarming rates. 1 Currently, 16% of adolescents report feeling lonely most of the time or always in the past year. This trend worsens as age increases: loneliness more than doubles between ages 11 and 15, from 8 to 13% among boys and 14% to 28% among girls. 2 Globally, 17.4% of young adults aged 18–29 and a third of older adults aged 60 and above are also estimated to experience social isolation. 3 What are the causes and consequences of social disconnect? Rising levels of loneliness and social disconnection have been linked to a range of factors, including challenging economic circumstances, limited access to education, and inadequate community infrastructure. Among young people, additional drivers include bullying, identity struggles, excessive screen time, and adverse experiences that erode trust and hinder the ability to seek social support. The long-lasting impacts of COVID-19 restrictions have also significantly contributed to feelings of isolation. 4, 5 The negative impact of social exclusion is profound. Beyond its well-documented effects on mental