Building Resilience and Developing Positive School Philosophies Positive Schools Conference Fremantle. May, 2011. Presented by Megan Booth Hollyhox Positive Resources
A word about Hollyhox Positive Resources
The Anika Foundation
What is happening with our students? The rate of adolescent depression is increasing despite greater awareness, available support and interventions.
What s happening with school staff? Australia has some of the lowest employee engagement levels in the world Less than 20% are engaged 60% are not engaged 20% are disengaged & spreading discontent
Imagine a school filled with flourishing adult teachers. Those teachers who really connect are those who feel really connected in life. We need to find more ways to support teachers in their well-being. We're worried about exposing our kids to mental illness. We don't yet get that the absence of flourishing is as serious as the presence of mental illness. Kids are exposed to too many adults who just aren't doing well. Dr. Corey Lee M. Keyes
Research on Depression The most common type of depression is classified as non-melancholic and can be attributed to life events and life stressors
Some people are just going through the motions Not moving forward or getting the most out of life.
Others are thriving and seem to bounce back no matter what happens!
Where did Positive Psychology come from?
While traditional psychology is about exploring what is going wrong with us Positive psychology is about exploring the things that are going right
Positive Psychology is Concerned with strengths not just weaknesses. Interested in building the best things in life not just repairing the worst Concerned with making the lives of everyone fulfilling
Positive Psychology is the science of optimal functioning All strategies are firmly grounded in empirical research (leans heavily on CBT and Humanistic Psychology).
Positive psychology isn t just about being happy
It is a framework that helps us to see everyday challenges in new ways and live engaged lives
Although happiness may be a bi-product
Is it possible to become happier? 50% set point 10% circumstance 40% intentional activities (how you think and what you do)
Thinking and behaviour patterns of resilient people Strongly connected to family & friends Comfortable expressing gratitude First to offer a helping hand Optimistic about their future Savour life & live in the present Habitually physically active Deeply committed to life long goals Cope well with challenges & adversities
Optimists and Pessimists
Optimists setbacks are surmountable and a result of temporary circumstances or other people
Pessimists - it is going to last forever, it is going to undermine everything and it s my fault
Research has shown that like any other skill we can learn to think more optimistically In the, Penn Optimism Program, participants were taught thinking skills that helped to increase their level of optimism. When the study was over and the research data analysed, it was found that there was a 50% lower risk of developing depression in the group taught optimism increasing thinking skills, and if they did develop depression it was 50% less severe.
7 principles of positive psychology
Practise acts of kindness
Cultivate optimism
Live in the present
Take care of your body and soul
Identify, develop, use and celebrate character strengths
Find meaning and purpose in life Mark Tully - Rare Chicken Rescue
Practice gratitude
Sound familiar?!! This is not new thinking! In fact it is ancient...
It is as much a philosophy as a psychology
Positive Leadership has the power to transform!
The Seattle Fish Markets Play Make their day Be there for each other Choose your attitude
Why is positive psychology useful for schools? focuses on wellbeing for all (not just for those who are struggling) fosters resilience and can be protective provides a framework for the teaching & practice of optimistic thinking skills & creative problem solving strategies it is simple, practical & can be weaved into existing school structures
Developing a positive school philosophy
Structure of a school
Conduct a Strengths Audit What are our strengths as a school?
How can we weave things together more effectively? Maximise strengths Introduce a common language Map welfare initiatives across the school Encourage fun and celebration
Create a positive school plan Staff Students Parents & Community
Educate Staff, Students & Parents
Make positive psychology a part of everyday school life
Positive psychology and school staff
Staff self-care and wellbeing
Enable staff to identify and build their strengths
Help staff to recognise and value each others strengths
Nurture and create opportunities for connection
Positive psychology and students
Develop positive school leaders SRC & Prefects
Implement Wellness Programs
Introduce strengths based mentoring
Bring positive psychology into the classroom
Positive psychology and parents
Use strengths based language in communication and reporting
Provide resources on positive parenting
Create opportunities for involvement and connection
Positive psychology at Geelong Grammar http://www.ggs.vic.edu.au/positive-education/overview.aspx Parents want Schools to teach more than academic achievement. They also want us to cultivate a love of learning, creativity, resilience, optimism, character strengths, and wellbeing in their children. Centre for Wellbeing Partnership with Martin Seligman & leading experts Intensive teacher training Implicit teaching of positive psychology across the school Explicit teaching of positive psychology in years 7 & 10
Positive Psychology at Hornsby Girls High Creating a culture of wellness From Strength to Strength Positive School Proposal Positive School Action Plan (part of 3 year plan) Committee of interested staff Three tiered approach - staff, students, parents & community Evaluation and revisiting of existing programs & school structures Strengths based Senior mentoring New initiatives - Café Gratitude & Kitchen Garden Positive psychology in welfare programs Staff development & training
Is Positive Psychology a Fad?
To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all. Oscar Wilde http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbk980jv7ao
Thank you! Hollyhox Positive Resources Megan Booth:0402 287 895 Email: hollyhoxpositiveresources@yahoo.com.au