08:30-09:00 Registration and morning refreshments
09:00-09:15 Welcome and introductions
Dr Jim White, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Stress Control & Pauline Logan, Deputy Head Teacher, St Paul’s High School
Stress Control in Schools – early intervention and prevention
09:15-09:35 The ‘Stress Control in Schools’ project – a review
- Aims and first steps
- Training teachers and delivering the eight weekly, single period classes
- Project outcomes and lessons learned
- Further developments and next steps
09:35-10:00 What is stress?
Detailed examination of Stress Control in Schools Session 1: “What is stress?”
- How do you know if someone is stressed?
- The jigsaw
- Stress Control in nine words (face your fears, be more active, boost your wellbeing)
10:00-10:30 Small group discussion: Teaching generic stress control skills to all 4th Year pupils
- What are the advantages/disadvantages of this approach?
- Are there any challenges or barriers to achieving this?
- Should classes be extended to younger (including primary-age) pupils?
10:30-10:45 Tea and coffee break, opportunities for networking
Helping young people become their own therapist – Taster sessions of the ‘Stress Control in Schools’ classes
10:45-11:45 How the class works – “Controlling your Body”
- Signs and symptoms
- Caffeine and exercise
- Belly breathing
How the class works – “Controlling your Thoughts”
- Signs and symptoms
- Everyday mindfulness: stop and smell the roses
- Mindful belly breathing and Leaves in the stream
How the class works – “Controlling panicky feelings”
- The TAB model: Thoughts, Actions and Body
- Hyperventilation
- Combining the skills
How the class works – “Boosting your wellbeing”
- Flourishing and Languishing
- Four a day
- Compassion and gratitude
Stress Control for teachers and parents too
11:45-12:10 Stress Control for pupils, teachers and parents
Comparing the pupil and adult versions of ‘Stress Control’. Detailed examination of Session 4: “Problem Solving”
- Avoidance and Behaviour
- Face your fears
- Problem Solving
Taking what you have heard into your school
12:10-12:40 Small group discussion: Widening stress control classes to develop a holistic approach to mental health in schools
- Do we need a holistic approach to mental health in schools?
- What are the benefits to, and practicalities of, teaching pupils, parents and teachers similar skills and a similar language around mental health?
- Are there any challenges or barriers to achieving this and how can we help?
12:40-13:00 Taking what you have heard into your school
Summary, individual and group reflections and next steps
13:00 Seminar close