1. Programs Directory

Year 4 - 6

Awareness Training

  • Overview

    Author(s)
    Elena Lennox
    Year level(s)
    6 - 12
    Who is this for?
    Students and staff who are suffering from anxiety. Parents who want to better understand their children's anxiety.
    Who is this from?
    Primary school teachers and staff Secondary school teachers and staff Allied Health Professionals
    Domains
    Mentally Healthy Communities, Early Support
    Settings
    Primary School, Secondary School
    Topics
    Bullying and cyber safety, General mental wellbeing, Emotional and behavioural difficulties, Mindfulness
    Aims
    Awareness Training aims: 1.To educate students, staff and parents about mental health and wellbeing; 2. To effect change in attitudes towards mental health; 3. To improve focus and clarity in the classroom through Awareness Training; 4. To improve performance; 5. To teach strategies for reducing stress and managing anxiety; 6. To create a school culture that values wellbeing
    Cost
    1 - 1.5 hrs $250 3 hours $480 Full Day $850 Series of workshops - price to be negotiated. All materials included
    Location
    Victoria, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania
    Organisation
    Resilient People
    Address
    1-12 BERKSHIRE PL KARDINYA WA6163
    Mobile number
    +61407445497
    Email
    elena@resilientpeople.com.au

  • Implementation

    Detailed description

    Awareness Training is based on the 4 'A's':- Awareness, Acceptance, Activation and Appreciation. This program builds on the key attributes of the traditional mindfulness and also includes Active Relaxation. Movement is based on brain gym and qigong to bring together the actions of the left and right brain to help improve focus, clarity and performance integrating mindfulness with movement. Students and staff are able to implement strategies they learn in this course, to all aspects of their daily life at school, work and home using a range of techniques including: mindfulness, the conscious breath, EFT, neuroscience, brain gym and qigong.

    Program structure & method delivery

    Students 1. 45min - 1hr sessions to suit the timetable x 2 or x 4, in a workshop setting - optimum 20 people How the brain and body work together. What is stress? How to alleviate stress in the classroom. How to improve focus, clarity and performance. Overcome exam nerves and improve outcomes. What is depression? How to support others. Bullying and anxiety. 2. Seminar to larger groups - c 100. Presentation format with engaging interactive activities 3. After school session to small groups of students with identified difficulties. What is stress? - activities to alleviate stress and improve wellbeing. Recognising behaviours and learning techniques to change neural patterns. Staff 1. Half day or whole day workshop. Awareness training and techniques for mastering stress. How to support students with a mental illness. 2. One hour sessions repeated during the day to include all staff. Presentation with interactive activities. The brain body connection. How to master stress. 3. After school 90 minute workshop x 4 Awareness Training Programme, lessons 1-4 or single sessions for new groups. 4. Staff meeting seminar - 30 - 60 minutes. Presentation format with engaging interactive activities. Management - KPI - How to implement a Wellness Programme 1. Mapping the needs of students and staff - how to deliver a wellness programme based on Awareness Training 2. Staff training for classroom delivery 4-6 x over the year. Working with 'Early Adopters' who then go on to support other staff members. 3. Implementation - support for teachers in the classroom. Parents 1. Seminar - 60-90 minutes How a teenage brain works. The mind body interaction and wellbeing. Improving focus to achieve better results.

    Student assessment measures

    Yes

    The breakingFree program can incorporate elements of the VET unit BSBWOR201 Manage Personal Stress in the Workplace which includes very clear assessment guidelines for senior school students. This can be run as part of a VET programme or independently.

    Professional learning compulsory

    No

  • Evidence

    Identified theoretical framework

    The theory behind the Awareness Training comes from a number of sources including:- Kathryn McEwan to facilitate the evaluation and development of resilience. Mental Health First Aid Dr Michael Carr-Gregg who specialises in adolescent mental health and is an advocate for the use of technology for mental health. Dr Dan Seigal who's practise has at its core "an integrative, brain and attachment-based view of mental functioning that has mindfulness as a core principal". In particular the 'Brain Gym' and the 'Happy Smile' technique, which is used in the program. Steve Wells, method for releasing stress called SET, which is taught to students. Daniel Rechtschaffen's, study, "The Way of Mindful Education".

  • Authors

    Author(s)

    Elena Lennox

    About author(s)

    Elena was a high school teacher for many years so she has an excellent understanding of the challenges teachers and students face every day in the classroom. Her desire to support staff and students led her to become first a Wellness Coach, then a trainer of Working with Resilience and also an MHFA instructor. She is passionate about helping others and feels that Awareness Training is the key to improving focus, clarity and better outcomes in the classroom leading to improved health and wellbeing. Staff and students are noticeably happier when they learn strategies for managing stress.