Overview
Alignment with Be You Domains
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Mentally Healthy Communities
Alignment with Australian Curriculum
- Health and PE
Target audience
- Primary school
- Secondary school
Target groups
- Whole class
Aims
Decode Mental Health and Wellbeing is designed to increase the mental health literacy of students and teachers, supporting the identification of emerging problems, reducing stigma, and promoting help-seeking. The program explores diverse perspectives on mental health, including those of culturally and linguistically diverse people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with disabilities or neurodivergence.Program theory
Decode Mental Health and Wellbeing is based on research findings and insights from MCRI. A robust program logic developed by MCRI researchers, former educators and curriculum writers informs the program structure and pedagogical approach.Topics
The Decode Student Program explores a range of topics such as understanding mental health, brain development and how it informs our moods and behaviour, exploring emotional responses, understanding trauma, social media and online identity, friendship and bullying. Decode for Teachers features 9 15-minute podcasts, 6 with supporting lessons for educators. The podcasts address everyday classroom questions related to mental health and wellbeing with practical strategies. It covers topics such as: What is mental health?, inside the brain, emotions, teacher wellbeing, gender identity, cultural connections, First Nations identity and racism.Cost
Program structure
The Decode Student Program is divided into 4 modules for upper primary and 4 modules for lower secondary. Each module has 8 video-led lessons that students can complete as self-directed learning and in a teacher-led classroom setting. Each lesson is designed to fit within a standard learning session or period of 40–60 minutes and features interactive quizzes and reflection questions to reinforce and measure knowledge acquisition. Lessons are sequential and build upon the previous ones. Teachers have flexibility within the Education Perfect platform to customise lesson content and assign lessons to particular students or cohorts. Teachers also have access to the quiz and reflection answers and can see student data such as what lessons or modules have been completed. Decode videos feature a range of social media creators and Australian sportspeople to deliver peer-to-peer, entertaining educational content to students to increase mental health literacy. This content is delivered in a style that reflects social media video, music and podcast formats to increase student engagement.Instructor
- Educator
- Wellbeing leader
Instructor training
Each school or organisation is assigned a dedicated Customer Success Manager to support them with implementation and delivery. There is also extensive documentation available online to support implementation and on-call support from Education Perfect in Australia. There are no additional costs involved. The Decode Student Program is supported by the Decode for Teachers program, which forms a core part of the instructor training. This training does not have to be completed before instructors teach the program as it is designed to be completed in tandem with the student program. This includes 9 x 15-min podcasts, 6 with accompanying 30-minute lessons. The program supports teachers in building confidence to facilitate the student program and ensures students and teachers have a shared language around mental health and wellbeing. Instructors are also supported in program implementation by downloadable PDF Teachers Guides, comprehensive walk-throughs of how to best implement the program; from how to assign the Education Perfect content to suggested hands-on activities they can run with their students, as well as explicit curriculum links (35-40 pages per year level).Supporting resources or materials available with program
- Online webinars
- Other (please specify)
Other materials
Decode for Teachers program, teacher PDFs via Education Perfect platform, teachers guides with classroom activities and worksheets, access to a Customer Success Manager, online documentation and on-call support 7 days a week. For more information about Decode for Teachers, visit: https://community.educationperfect.com/course/decode-mental-health-wellbeing-teacher-edition/Ongoing support
Ongoing one-to-one support with a dedicated Customer Success Manager beyond implementation to ensure the classroom achieves a positive impact from the program.Parent involvement
- Parent handbook
Origin of program
Australia
Matterworks
Program authors
Matterworks, Education Perfect and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI). In particular, Professor Harriet Hiscock, Professor Frank Oberklaid, Professor Vicki Anderson, Dr Ken Pang and Dr Simone Darling.
- c/o MCRI, 50 Flemington Road,Parkville VIC 3052 Australia
Ratings
Summary of evidence factors
This is a summary of the evaluation or research study characteristics that contribute to the program’s evidence rating.
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Positive impact on at least one outcome for children and/or young people?
The study reported positive outcomes. |
Yes |
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Link between program description and theory of change
Theory of change refers to whether there was a comprehensive description and illustration of how and why a desired change is expected to happen in a particular context. |
Comprehensive |
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Study design
Type of study design reported. |
Pre-post cohort |
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Independence
The degree to which the program authors were involved in the research. |
Semi |
Summary of implementation factors
This is a summary of the program’s characteristics that contribute to its implementation rating.
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Feedback sought from participants
Participants enjoyed the program and understood its benefits. |
Yes |
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Feedback sought from instructors
Instructors enjoyed the program and understood its benefits. |
Yes |
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Groups program is not suitable for
Groups the program wouldn't be suitable for or that required further research to determine suitability. |
Not assessed |
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Training provided during study
The model of training provided. |
Web based |
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Ongoing instructor support provided during study
Whether ongoing support is provided. |
Yes |
Context
This is a summary of the context in which the evidence for the program was established.
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Study Participants
Pre school, primary school (Foundation to Year 6), secondary school (Years 7 to 12). |
Primary school Secondary school |
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Country of Study/s
The location in which the evidence or research was conducted. |
Australia |
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Location of Study/s in Australia
The state (or states) the program was assessed in Australia. |
VIC |
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Evaluation of program in culturally and linguistically diverse populations
Provider has included culturally and linguistically diverse people when assessing the program. |
No |
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Evaluation of program in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people
Provider has included Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples when assessing the program. |
No |
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Evaluation of program in low socioeconomic groups
Program has evaluated a diverse socio-economic population in their research. |
No |
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Developmental based adaptations to program design and delivery
Shorter sessions for younger students or activities are adjusted for age appropriateness. |
No |
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Evaluation of program in children and young people with disability and/or learning difference
Provider has included participants with a disability or learning difference when assessing the program. |
Yes |
Last updated: 2 October 2024