Emotional Wellbeing Training Programme: Getting it right for deaf children and young people
Presented on Wednesday 13 January 2010
Healthy Minds
Caroline Doherty
Emotional Health &Well-Being Manager, NDCS.
Introduction
- Background
- Resource - how do we use it
- Who piloted it?
- The feedback
- The sessions - their contents
- What we need to do next...
Healthy Minds
- Are not trying to fix kids but guide them
- Designed programmes around the needs of the young people & focussed on the positive & raising expectations
- Effective practices for developing lifelong strategies for good EHWB;
History of Healthy Minds
Mental Health Report NI
Key facts;
- Deaf Children four times as likely to suffer from some form of mental health
- Positive mental health is important for all deaf children
Notes: Positive management and 'engineering' opportunities for success for deaf children is a key factor in prevention and management of mental health and behavioural difficulties at home and school.
The Resource
- Understanding the reality of being deaf
- Understanding this impact on everyday life
- Develop the attitudes, skills & confidence
- Strategies for dealing with difficult situations
- Provide the opportunity to explore current coping strategies & support mechanisms
Total of 300 people piloted the resource,
Deaf Secondary School in Belfast
- 3 mainstream schools in NI
- Deaf school in England
- HI units in 2 Primary Schools
- Steering group of MH professionals
- Focus group of parents & teachers
- Young deaf individuals
- 3 youth residentials.
Comments...
- I liked the bouncing cloak - age 10
- X understands he's accountable for his communication needs, it's a 2 way process. - teacher
- I know what works well for me is to talk to someone quickly than let things get worse - age 14
- I've loads of happy thoughts, that I didn't know I had!- age 11
- I don't like asking for help, but I do know it's my responsibility and I have to make the move, no one else will do it -age 16
The Healthy Minds sessions
- What is a Healthy Mind & why is it important?
- Developing good emotional well-being
- Support mechanisms & networks
- Identity – who am I?
- Owning & managing the deafness
- I'm ok being deaf? – feeling good
Session 1 - what is a healthy mind & why is it important?
- To encourage young people to understand and explore emotional well being
- To make the link between a healthy mind & a healthy body
What makes a healthy body & a healthy mind?
What might your ydpc's answers be?
Having poor EHWB - what are the consequences?
- How is our feeling good linked to our physical health?
- If we are not feeling great in our mindset, how does this affect those around?
Introduce the students to key words - resilience, & 'bounce-back-ability'
What young people felt...
- To be taken seriously by adults
- Biggest fear is to be laughed at or dismissed
- Young people will not admit they are feeling low or having a bad day
- Session 3 covers support mechanisms & relevant support people