Nurturing Well-being in Schools: A Journey to Flourishing
Greetings, dear educators and well-being advocates!
Last week, we delved into the concerning global statistics surrounding youth mental health and explored how Positive Psychology (PP) can be a beacon of hope, providing practical tools and techniques for students to navigate life's challenges. Today, let's continue this journey and focus on bringing well-being into our schools.
As a youth, I faced challenges with bullying and other issues which severely affected my self esteem, this led me off the rails during high school. I felt insecure, unhappy, and lacked self-confidence. It was only in my mid-30s that I addressed these issues through personal study and the creation of a well-being practice that worked for me. I discovered that the absence of illness doesn't automatically guarantee happiness. This realization became the driving force behind my mission: to help children flourish and build a society where everyone can thrive in their chosen roles.
The Urgency of Early Intervention
The statistics reveal a stark reality: half of all mental illness begins at the age of 14, and 50% of all illnesses in the teen years are mental illnesses. Moreover, young people who experience mental illness during their teens are three times more likely to re-experience it in adulthood. The time for early intervention is now.
Building the Life You Want: Lessons in Choice
As Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey advocate in the above book, being happier in life comes from making a choice about how we react to our emotions. "Your emotions are only signals, and you get to decide how you'll respond to them." This profound lesson, though challenging, is best learned early in life. It's an acknowledgment that bad things may happen, but these "bad" emotions serve as signals that something isn't quite right, helping to protect us.
Understanding Emotional Responses: From Limbic to Prefrontal Cortex
Our limbic brain automatically reacts to stress or perceived threats, triggering emotions like fear or anxiety. Positive Psychology interventions guide us in moving these emotions from the limbic system to the prefrontal cortex, where we can make thoughtful decisions about how to respond.
Positive Psychology Interventions: Creating Sustainable Positivity
Positive Psychology interventions are activities aimed at fostering positive feelings, behaviours, or cognitions. They go beyond academics, providing valuable life tools to children who spend five days a week in school. These interventions help in learning more about ourselves, building confidence and self-esteem, creating positive relationships, and taking control of the direction of our lives.
Positive Education (Pos Ed): Integrating Positive Psychology in Schools
What truly excites me is Positive Education, the application of Positive Psychology and best teaching practices in schools. Originating in Australia, Positive Education gained momentum with Prof Martin Seligman implementing the first whole school approach at Geelong Grammar in 2008. The International Positive Education Network (IPEN), established in 2013, has since spread globally.
Implementing Well-being in Schools: A Practical Approach
For those eager to integrate well-being practices in schools, consider the following steps:
Utilize my free PDF, "Six Simple Ways to Classroom Well-being," containing science-based interventions packaged into easy-to-use lesson plans.
Explore the Educators Guide to Wholeschool well-being and Geelong Grammar's Positive Education: The Geelong Grammar School Journey for comprehensive insights.
Engage with your school leadership team or principal to discuss forming a well-being team and conducting a benchmark survey.
Begin trialing well-being lessons in your class and initiate discussions in the staffroom.
Reach out – I'd love to hear how I can support you on The Classroom Connection Podcast (TCCP).
Join the Movement, Let's Make a Difference As we embark on this journey, let's share our insights and resources. Download the free PDF, share it with a friend, follow me on Facebook and Instagram, and let's collectively make a positive difference in the lives of the children in our care this year.
Together, we can create schools that not only educate minds but also nurture hearts and well-being. Here's to a flourishing future for our students!
Nga mihi
Natalie
