I am Mindful

and

Trailblazers

I AM MINDFUL: Grade 5 Program

I Am Mindful - grade 5 Program:

I Am Mindful (I.A.M) is a program that helps students learn to better manage their mental health by teaching them evidence-based coping strategies. The I.A.M School Program is centred on an evidence-based mental health toolkit and coping planning resources. They teach students and their support system how to manage tough times in a proactive, skilful, and healthy way.

Student Workshops

• Interactive with lots of hands-on activities
• How to use each item in the classroom and individual I.A.M boxes to help regulate emotions and manage distress. 
• Integrating I.A.M Box items into personalised I.A.M Student Coping Plans
• Understanding mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance and defusing skills, connecting to one’s values and their unique role with the box.

• Using the box at school and home scenarios
• Personalisation of the I.A.M boxes for each student
• Thought provoking discussions to reduce stigma around not being ok.
• Combines elements from: lived experience with mental ill being, positive psychology, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and sensory modulation.

Reflections:

"In the I Am Mindful workshops, we got to do really cool activities and practice using all the different coping tools. My favourite tools were the word search, the mask, the oil and the sand. I liked the word search because looking for the words really helped me focus on what is around me and not stress about all the bad things. I liked the mask because it helps me focus like all my senses and become calm. The oil helps me because I like smelling the scented oils and focusing on who is there to help me cope and what I can smell and the sand helps me release my stress and anger. The sand is soft and crumbly in my hands and is really good to focus on when you are stressed." – Elli

"In the I Am Mindful program I learned different mental health management strategies. I loved having a space where I could share my feelings safely with no judgement. I love the box full of helpful calming tools that included an eye mask, lemon oil, a word search, a watermelon squishy, and kinetic sand. Before this program, I used to be extremely sensitive and would get upset about minor issues. The strategies we were shown such as tensing up our bodies, the mammalian diving reflex (holding your breath for 30 seconds wearing the eye mask) and thinking of our happy places will help me in the future. In the future I will use these strategies before I do something important such as netball finals and leadership role campaigns." - Mayasha

TRAILBLAZERS: Grade 6

The Human Development Workshop‘Trailblazers’ Program with Transition Focus

The Trailblazers Program runs for 1 hour per week for 10 weeks and is designed for students who experience challenges in their relationships with others; display a lack of resilience and/or self-esteem or experience engagement issues related to their wellbeing and confidence.

Each Program culminates in a small project OR peer activities run by participating students.  Where relevant, participants may also co-facilitate a Family Forum focusing on ‘raising resilient children’ as well as managing technology. 

Key concepts:

• Building self-esteem and resilience
• Assertive communication and problem solving
• Teamwork and positive play skills
• Positive risk-taking and building self-confidence.
• Self-efficacy - their ability to succeed in facing challenges, along with an accurate understanding of personal strengths and limitations.

Reflections:

"I would rate Trailblazers a 10 out of 10. If I could, I would do Trailblazers all over again. My favourite thing was learning about the types of behaviours. The program introduces the behaviours using animals as examples. For example the mouse behaviour would show up when we are afraid. The crocodile behaviour is when we show aggression to others and ‘snap’ at them. Understanding these behaviours will help us in the future". – Ethan

"I have really enjoyed doing Trailblazers. The games have taught us about leadership and how to work as a team. We also learned about brain chemicals, one of which is serotonin also known as the happy chemical which makes you feel calm and relaxed. Trailblazers has helped all of us develop leadership skills, including being able to come up with games we could teach younger children." – Emma