The materials developed from the beyondblue schools research initiative can be downloaded from beyondblue at no cost . "Education and health personnel working with young people can order, free of charge, one set of hard copies of the Classroom Curriculum Program from the Materials Ordering section. Those wishing to purchase multiple copies of the program should contact Dr Brian Graetz - (03 98106129)"
Overview
The beyondblue schools research initiative is a research partnership between school systems, local communities, the health sector and academics. These groups have come together to examine how school communities can prevent depression in young people. This partnership began in 2003 with the trialling of a three-year school-based intervention that aimed to:
- reduce and prevent depression in young people
- engage whole school communities to promote emotional well-being and social connectedness
- increase awareness of adolescent depression and its impact
This intervention was trialled in 50 secondary schools across Victoria, Queensland and South Australia with schools representing a broad cross section of government (metropolitan and non-metropolitan), catholic and independent schooling sectors (click here to view participating schools). To assess the effectiveness of the intervention, information is being collected annually from students and staff in all 50 participating schools over a five year period (2003 - 2007). This information is being used to assess the extent to which the intervention is successful in: (a) improving mental health and emotional well-being in young people, and (b) strengthening the individual and social protective factors targeted by the intervention - these are described below. An initial report describing key findings over the first three years of the data collection (2003 - 2005) is now available - click here. Additional reports can also be accessed on the measures developed for the beyondblue evaluation - click here and on the intervention components and their fidelity evaluation - click here .
The beyondblue schools Intervention
The beyondblue schools Intervention was developed collaboratively by the University of Queensland, the Victorian Centre for Adolescent Health, the South Australian Department of Education and Children's Services and beyondblue. It draws on national and international research and the groundbreaking work conducted with schools in Australia in the past decade. The intervention aims to buffer the effects of adverse life events by building protective factors within the individual, through the teaching of life skills, and within the environment by enhancing the capacity of schools to provide a supportive and safe environment. To read more about the conceptual framework underpinning the intervention click here.
The Intervention consists of four components:
- Classroom Curriculum
- Supportive Environments
- Pathways for Care and Education
- Community Forums
Classroom Curriculum
The Classroom Curriculum component is a comprehensive, sequentially developed 30-session high-school program that teaches students skills that will increase their capacity to deal with 'life' challenges. The program is based on cognitive-behavioural theories of depression that view our thoughts (and interpretations) as playing a major role in determining our feelings and subsequent behaviour. The program is built around the development of six senses that act as protective factors against mental health problems. These senses are:
- sense of self-worth
- sense of control
- sense of belonging
- sense of purpose
- sense of future
- sense of humour
The program is intended to be delivered over three years, with students participating each year in 10, weekly, classroom sessions, of 30-45 minutes duration. Program delivery is based on principles of best-practice in effective teaching, using a range of interactive methods, including small-group exercises and discussions, role-plays, deep-learning tasks and quizzes. The Classroom Curriculum program was delivered by teachers who completed one day's professional development prior to teaching each year of the program. The Year 8, 9 and 10 Classroom Curriculum Programs are described below along with information about how to access student and teaching materials.
The Year 8 Curriculum Program
The theme of the Year 8 Program is "Getting to know yourself; getting along with yourself". The program covers the following topics:
- images of adolescence
- self-concept
- emotions and emotional regulation
- the thinking-feeling link
- coping with challenges and stress
The Year 8 Program is supported by a student workbook and teacher manual available to download here.
The Year 9 Curriculum Program
The theme of the Year 9 Program is "Getting to know others; getting along with others", and covers the following topics:
- forming and maintaining relationships
- communicating in relationships
- feelings and thoughts in relationships
- social problem solving
- how to seek help for self and others
The Year 9 Program is supported by a DVD. The DVD shows vignettes with associated discussion to illustrate key teaching points around the themes of communication, problem solving and conflict resolution in context of relationships. Click here to view a segment from the Year 9 DVD. To order a copy of the Year 9 DVD visit our Materials Ordering section of this website
The Year 9 Program is supported by the student workbook and teacher manual available to download here
The Year 10 Curriculum Program
The theme of the Year 10 program is "Getting along in the world and planning for the future". It aims to consolidate the knowledge and skills taught in the Year 8 and 9 programs, setting these within the framework of the six senses and their associated attributes. The Year 10 program covers the following topics:
- understanding and using the 'six senses'
- the role of 'self-talk' in emotional health and well-being
- problem solving and managing stress
- time management
- planning for the future
The Year 10 Program is also supported by a DVD. The DVD is a 10-episode program that uses the concept of a reality TV program. The 'Strongbbox' follows the lives of six young people as they compete against each other on a number of challenges, with the winner being awarded the 'Strongbbox Prize'. The DVD is used to illustrate graphically the six key senses that underpin the Classroom Curriculum Program - sense of self-worth, sense of belonging, sense of purpose, sense of future, and sense of humour. Click here to view a segment of the Year 10 'Strongbbox' DVD. To order a copy of the Year 10 'Strongbbox' DVD visit our Materials Ordering section of this website.
The Year 10 Program is supported by the student workbook and teacher manual available to download here
Pathways for Care and Education
The Pathways component explores how best to enable young people to access support and professional services at school and with the wider community. Through the implementation of this component, students develop the knowledge, skills and capabilities to access pathways for care and education, and the school community will ensure that effective, inclusive pathways exist to support the well-being and learning of all students. The Pathways component involved a partnership between families, school staff, school-based support, welfare personnel and community-based health professionals and support services.
Community Forums
The Community Forum provides young people, significant adults living and working with young people, and school personnel with information they need to identify problems, to seek help for themselves and to help peers who may be experiencing depression or other mental health problems. One of the main purposes of the forum is to promote different types of services that are available for young people.
Resource Pack
The Resource Pack provides an overview of the beyondblue schools research initiative and provides schools with a useful and accessible guide on how to implement the four intervention components - The Classroom Curriculum, Supportive Environments, Pathways for Care and Education and Community Forums. This includes a set of tools that schools can use to audit school practices and develop action plans for the Supportive Environments and Pathways for Care and Education components of the intervention.
The Resource Pack is divided into a number of sections.
Click on the links to download electronic copies of these sections:
Classroom Curriculum Materials
The materials developed from the beyondblue schools research initiative can be downloaded from beyondblue at no cost . Schools and education personnel may order, free of charge, one set of hard copies of the Classroom Curriculum program from the beyondblue Materials Ordering Section Schools wishing to purchase multiple copies of the program should contact Dr Brian Graetz (03 98106100)
Year 8 Materials
Download electronic copies of the Year 8 Teacher Manual:
Download electronic copies of the Year 8 Student Workbook:
Year 9 Materials
Download electronic copies of the Year 9 Teacher Manual:
Download electronic copies of the Year 9 Student Book:
Year 10 Materials
Download electronic copies of the Year 10 Teacher Manual:
Download electronic copies of the Year 10 Student Book:
OTHER RESOURCES FOR HIGH SCHOOLS
DVD - Tackling Depression in Schools
beyondblue has also produced a three-program DVD for the school community called 'Tackling Depression in Schools'. The DVD provides information about depression aimed at helping students, teachers and parents manage and prevent the illness in the school community. To order a copy of the DVD visit our Materials Ordering section of this website
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beyondblue schools research initiative, teacher workbook |
 
beyondblue schools research initiative, student workbook |
Year 9 student book |
Year 9 teacher manual |
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