Recent reporting by The Conversation highlights new research from Australia’s Black Dog Institute suggesting that a young person’s sense of belonging at school may be one of the strongest foundations for their mental wellbeing.

Researchers followed more than 1,500 Year 8 students across 35 high schools in New South Wales, examining a wide range of factors, from school type and location to teacher-student ratios and school income. Of everything they measured, one stood out: students who felt connected to their classmates, teachers and wider school community in Year 8 reported better wellbeing two years later, even after accounting for gender and past mental health history.

Notably, factors often assumed to matter most, such as whether a school was public or private, or how many students each teacher had, showed no link to wellbeing in this study. What made the difference was relationships.

The authors point to practical ways schools can nurture belonging, including mentoring across year groups, teacher-led lunchtime activities, and giving students a genuine voice with school leadership. Whole-school approaches that bring staff and students together appear to be the most effective.

For the Maccabeus Foundation, this research affirms something we hold deeply: healing and resilience grow in community. Prevention begins long before a crisis, in the everyday places where young people feel seen, safe and valued. Schools, families and faith communities across Zambia all have a part to play in building that sense of belonging.

Read the original article on The Conversation to learn more.