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Social and emotional skills

Social-emotional skills are a set of psychological skills (cognitive, emotional, and social) that help maintain mental well-being. They thus foster better relationships with oneself and others.

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Psychosocial Skills: An Operational Framework for Expert Trainers

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The development of psychosocial skills (PSS) promotes overall health and positive mental health, defined by the WHO in 2004 as “a state of well-being in which an individual can realize their potential, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and contribute to their community.” By improving well-being, empowerment, psychological development and functioning, as well as the quality of interactions, PSCs influence the determinants of health and educational success. PSCs can be strengthened at any age, and particularly among children and youth, through psychoeducational activities.

In France, the development of psychosocial skills among young people has gradually emerged as a priority in several public policies related to youth. Since 2022, France has been implementing a national strategy aimed at developing the psychosocial skills of children and young people (ages 3–25). Co-led by the ministries responsible for health and national education, this interministerial strategy spans 15 years (2022–2037) and involves nine ministries (ministries responsible for health and prevention, National Education and Youth, Agricultural High Schools, Higher Education and Research, Professional Integration, Justice, Social Cohesion, and Sports, as well as the Ministry of Culture). It is based on five pillars: regional coordination, professional training, evidence-based interventions, national monitoring, and an institutional framework.

Ensuring that the 2037 generation is the first to grow up in an environment that continuously supports the development of psychosocial skills

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The goal is to integrate the development of psychosocial skills (PSS) in children and youth into all settings and all learning experiences to enable current and future generations to better regulate their emotions, live together, and make informed decisions.

Santé publique France plays a key role by providing its expertise and ensuring the implementation of high-quality practices. The development of PSCs is seen as an essential lever for public health, promoting well-being, educational success, professional integration, and the prevention of risky behaviors.

Santé publique France’s Action Plan on Psychosocial Skills

Everything you need to know about the CPS program’s objectives and the initiatives carried out by Santé publique France

Fact sheets on cognitive, emotional, and social skills

Here you will find all the worksheets organized by type of social-emotional skill from the training and intervention kit

What are social-emotional skills?

What are the three main categories of CPS? How are they classified? What are the health effects?

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