Aussie Optimism

Curtin University

Aussie Optimism provides children and young people with practical skills and strategies that promote social and emotional wellbeing.

Overview

Alignment with Be You Domains

Mentally Healthy Communities

Alignment with Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)

Children are confident and involved learners
Children have a strong sense of identity
Children have a strong sense of wellbeing

Alignment with Australian Curriculum

Health and PE

Target audience

Primary school
Secondary school

Target groups

Individual
Small group
Whole class
Whole school

Aims

Aussie Optimism aims to prevent depression and anxiety in children and young people. It provides them with practical skills and strategies that promote social and emotional wellbeing.

Program theory

Aussie Optimism is grounded in the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy. The theoretical base of the program includes Martin Seligman’s theory of explanatory styles and Albert Ellis’ work on the thought-feeling connection.

Topics

Topics include identifying and managing emotions, coping skills, conflict management, developing social networks, facing fears, coping with transitions, and challenging negative thinking styles. The topics are developmentally appropriate for the age group that each program is designed for.

Cost

Educators and school staff: Primary School Workshop (K-6) with full accreditation in one primary school program $150 (includes a full set of resources for the selected program and provisional accreditation for all other programs); full accreditation in additional programs $100 per program. Optimistic Thinking Skills Workshop $150. I Spy Feelings Workshop $70. Private practitioners: $600 per program. Student Booklets: I Spy Feelings $5. All other programs are $11.95.

Program structure

Each program has 10 sessions, one hour each week for 10 weeks. I Spy Feelings (K-PP), Feelings and Friends (Years 1 and 2), Feelings and Friends (Year 3), Positive Thinking Skills (Year 4), Social Life Skills (Years 5-6), Optimistic Thinking Skills (Year 7-8).

Instructor

Psychologist
Educator
Wellbeing leader

Instructor training

Training in each program is delivered through a one-day workshop run by accredited Aussie Optimism trainers. Each workshop runs for approximately 6.5 hours. Optional coaching is available at any time during the program’s implementation. Self-directed, online training is available for instructors in regional Western Australia, and instructors based outside of Western Australia.

Supporting resources or materials available with program

Manual
Workbook

Ongoing support

Ongoing phone contact. Program instructors have the option of receiving coaching from Aussie Optimism staff. This is usually via a phone meeting. Aussie Optimism staff can also visit schools if required.

Parent involvement

Attend information sessions
Follow-up information provided after program

Origin of program

Australia

Curtin University

Program authors

Associate Professor Clare Roberts, Associate Professor Rosanna Rooney, Dr Robert Kane

: Aussie Optimism, School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987,Perth WA 6845 Australia

: 08 9266 2465

: aussie.optimism@curtin.edu.au

: Visit website

Ratings

4/4 Evidence

3/4 Implementation

Summary of evidence factors

This is a summary of the evaluation or research study characteristics that contribute to the program’s evidence rating.

Positive impact on at least one outcome for children and/or young people?	Yes
Link between program description and theory of change	Comprehensive
Study design	Randomised control trial
Independence	Semi

Summary of implementation factors

This is a summary of the program’s characteristics that contribute to its implementation rating.

Feedback sought from participants	No
Feedback sought from instructors	No
Groups program is not suitable for	Not assessed
Training provided during study	Face to face, all instructors, in person
Ongoing instructor support provided during study	Yes

Context

This is a summary of the context in which the evidence for the program was established.

Study Participants	Early learning Primary school
Country of Study/s	Australia
Location of Study/s in Australia	WA
Evaluation of program in culturally and linguistically diverse populations	No
Evaluation of program in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people	No
Evaluation of program in low socioeconomic groups	Yes
Developmental based adaptations to program design and delivery	No
Evaluation of program in children and young people with disability and/or learning difference	Yes

Last updated: 31 July 2023