Flourishing Through Positive Education: Building a Brighter Future for Our Students

Kia ora koutou, nau mai haere mai!

Thank you for joining me on this transformative journey, you are the architects of a brighter, kinder future. You are on the front lines, making a difference as rates of mental health challenges escalate each year.

Over the next two weeks, we will delve into the alarming statistics surrounding mental health, particularly among our young learners. UNICEF's 2021 State of the World's Children report revealed that depression and anxiety are the top concerns for kiwi girls aged 10 to 19. Boys, too, are not immune, with anxiety ranking second for those aged 10 to 14.

Globally, the World Health Organization reports that an estimated 14% of 10-19 year-olds experience mental health concerns, many of which go unrecognized and untreated. As of 2019, anxiety and depression are the most common psychological disorders among children, affecting 42.9%.

The reality is clear: what we've done in the past isn't working. As teachers, we are uniquely positioned to provide our tamariki with explicit tools to navigate life's challenges. We must act early, in a safe environment, allowing them to practice well-being techniques before they face adversity.

I personally got to a point in my career about eight years ago when I felt overwhelmed by the enormity of the problem. I, like many of you, wanted to make a more significant impact on the lives of my students. Through study and much thought, I realised I could make a difference, even if it was just one child at a time.

This is where Positive Psychology comes into play. Positive Psychology is the science of what makes life worth living, focusing on flourishing rather than languishing. Traditionally, psychology centred on the negative, but Positive Psychology shifts the focus to optimism, positive emotions, gratitude, and learning our character strengths.

Founded by Prof Martin Seligman, Positive Psychology aims to have over 51% of people flourishing by 2050. By working together, we can achieve this goal more quickly. PP lessons have been proven to increase students' self-worth, resilience, and ability to maintain positive relationships.

While Positive Psychology isn't a panacea for all mental health issues, it equips children with tools to navigate life's challenges early on. Waiting until our 20s or 30s to learn coping strategies is too late. Well-being should be a fundamental building block of education, fostering an environment where students feel free to be themselves.

Evidence suggests that incorporating well-being practices improves academic performance. It's not a one-size-fits-all solution, and we encourage exploring various techniques such as gratitude, kindness, optimism, and mindfulness, so that each child can find what works best for them.

In the coming weeks, we'll delve deeper into specific well-being techniques.

I’ve also created informative videos for teachers like yourself to learn more about different aspects of Positive Psychology and Classroom Well-being. Click here to check these out.

Share this valuable resource with fellow educators, follow me on Facebook and Instagram, and together, let's make a positive difference in the lives of the children in our care.

Thanks again for joining me and being a champion for youth well-being and mental health,

Natalie