OurFutures Mental Health Program info pack

We often get asked for information on our prevention programs so that educators, health professionals, community health & wellbeing officers, and other wellbeing advocates can share information and resources with schools, parents, and other clients. So, we’ve put together some marketing materials for your newsletters, social posts, magazines, or anywhere else you may want to share information. This information pack covers our Mental Health program.

Background

Anxiety and depressive disorders account for three quarters of the disability attributed to mental disorders. The peak of this disability occurs in young people aged 15-24 years old and corresponds with the typical period of onset of these issues. Research has shown that these common disorders frequently co-occur, share similar risk factors, and interact. However, there are few well-implemented programs that are aimed to concurrently prevent them. The OurFutures Mental Health module offers innovative, evidence-based online prevention education for anxiety and depression in adolescents. It was developed by researchers currently based at the Matilda Centre at the University of Sydney, and came about from collaborative efforts of a number of health and education professionals with expertise in anxiety and depression prevention and treatment.

What is the OurFutures Mental Health program?

The clinically-proven OurFutures Mental Health program empowers high school students in years 8-10 with strategies to prevent, identify, and deal with the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

It uses realistic and relatable cartoon-based drama about a group of teenagers and their experiences of anxiety and depression to impart education and cognitive behavioural skills.

Based on the best available evidence and aligned with the national and state-based Health and Physical Education curricula, the OurFutures Mental Health Program provides teens with the understanding and skills they need to self-monitor, manage emotions and stress, and access support and help.

What is the evidence behind it?

The OurFutures Mental Health Program has been rigorously evaluated using the same effective prevention education methodology as the other award-winning OurFutures programs. Proven student benefits include an improved knowledge of mental health, and slowed progression of anxiety symptoms. For maximum benefit, it is recommended that the Mental Health Module be delivered in combination with the Alcohol and Cannabis Module.

How does it work?

OurFutures Mental Health program is made up of different components that work together to promote learning:

Online lessons: six 20-minute online cartoon-based storyline lessons delivered in class.
Stop & Think activities: interactive exercises within the online lessons to encourage students to reflect and think critically.
Self-guided quizzes: interactive online quizzes at the end of each online lesson to test and consolidate students’ knowledge.
Additional activities: a suite of classroom and homework activities for each lesson to reinforce key messages and help students to apply knowledge.
Lesson summaries: graphic summaries for students and teachers to refer to for key information and concepts presented in each lesson.

What students learn about: