Wellbeing

Save the Date - Open Parachute Parent Workshop 

Open Parachute Program Unpacked for Parents

Friday 19th May, 8.15am

Breakfast Workshop in the Mercy Library

Each Tuesday afternoon K- 6 classes are engaging with the Open Parachute Program. The program aims to reduce stigma and generate authentic dialogue in classrooms about the real issues students face. The psychological skills-building exercises aim to increase empathy, self-compassion, self-awareness, mental health literacy, and self-efficacy in students. Teacher and Student feedback has been extremely positive. We encourage parents to check in with their children each Tuesday evening so that the children can share what they are learning through the program.  

Program theory

The program is built from the bullying research of Dr Watson, Dr Todorov, and Professor Ron Rapee at Macquarie University, which focuses on emotional processing and cognitive reframing as positive coping responses.  The program is based on theories that reveal the strength of peer influence (self-determination theory and Erickson's identity versus role confusion). The program draws on the research of Pennebaker and the use of therapeutic journal writing. It also draws on cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and narrative therapy frameworks, teaching the psychological skills of thought-challenging, perspective-shifting, acceptance of emotions, behaviour change, and relationship skills to students.                                                              

Open Parachute is proudly sponsored at Our Lady of Fatima by the Sebastian Foundation

Mrs Lisa Mann  | Wellbeing