A school-based early intervention programme for young people

that enhances connectedness and supports students through change

• Adolescence is a challenging time involving change, loss and transition

• Opportunities for growth

• Without support and skills young people can feel distressed

• Possible increase in incidence of mental health concerns

The World Health Organisation’s four level whole school approach to school change

Create an environment conducive to promoting psychosocial competence and wellbeing

Mental health education: Knowledge, attitudes and behaviour

Psychosocial interventions and problems

Professional treatment

Whole school environment

Part of general curriculum

Students needing additional help at school

Students needing additional mental health intervention

Level of intervention

Entire school community

All students and teachers

20%-30% of students

3%-12% of students

Who is involved

School-based early intervention programme

Participants: coping with change, transition, loss AND early signs of emotional distress

Focus: develop coping skills and resources

• The use of metaphor – life is a journey• Promoting wellness

• Meaning making

• Thinking/Cognitive strategies

• Coping

• Social support

Life is a JourneySometimes the path can be more challenging than at other times

Our self esteem is our belief in our own self worth

Trust your feelings - it’s OK to feelExpressing yourself is healthyIt’s natural to find change stressful

1.

2.

3.

The way I think affects how I feelChallenging unhelpful thoughts can help me feel better

Sometimes I can change things and sometimes I can’t BUT I can change the way I think about things

Fun and Laughter help reduce stressRelaxation re-energisesTravelling well on day trips and life journeys deserves rewards

4.

6.

5.

Everyone needs support at times

Support can be practical and/or emotional

Challenges in life can help us grow

There are strategies I can use to do life

7.

8.

Participants

Number of events with a major impact

Score on Weinberger Adjustment Inventory-Subjective Experience of Distress scale (short form)

Do you feel good about yourself most of the time?

Number of schools attended

 

  

 

High Group

Medium Group

  

  

 

More than one medium risk factor

  

 

 

Only one medium risk factor

Total

No

Yes

40 30-40

4+2-3

<30

0-17+ 4-6

    

1

2

3

4

   

  

 

 

“We are trying to open our hearts to each other, let us solve the

common problem

together, its great. “

“I enjoyed it and now I feel a lot more confident

thanks to my group in

TRAVELLERS”

“It was great to be here and I can like myself more. Thank you :)”

• Skylight has the world rights to Travellers

• International education systems/agencies need a Territorial License from Skylight to run the programme.

• Skylight provides full training and ongoing support

• Travellers is currently running in Denmark under license to Skylight.

• Currently 78 schools throughout New Zealand have the capacity to run Travellers. Over 10000 students have completed the Questionnaire.

Current Travellers Schools

In 2009 the programme will be rolled out in:

• South/Mid Canterbury

• West Coast South Island

• East Coast North Island

• Manawatu/Horowhenua

• Hawkes Bay/Wairarapa

• Wellington

Providing on-going support for existing schools

Evaluate the existing programme

Redevelopment of Programme- Updating the resources and activities.

SkylightSkylightFreephone: 0800 299 100

Travellers DD: +64 4 939 8576Fax:+64 4 939 4759

Email: travellers@skylight-trust.org.nz

Visit us on the web at: www.travellers.org.nz