About Aussie Optimism
The Aussie Optimism Program was developed to reduce and prevent anxiety and depression in children and adolescents. Aussie Optimism also develops and promotes positive mental health in children, adolescents and school communities.
Aussie Optimism includes six separate programs that can be used with children and adolescents of different ages from Kindy through to year 8. Please look at our programs section to find out more about each one.
Aussie Optimism is based on research in psychology (e.g., Seligman, Kendall and Ellis) and uses this information to help develop social and emotional skills, competencies and resilience. Our own extensive research indicates that Aussie Optimism may:
- reduce mental health difficulties
- increase recovery from depressive disorders (anxiety and depression)
- reduce the incidence of suicidal ideation and behaviour
- increase the recovery from suicidal ideation and behaviour
- increase pro-social behaviour
- reduce the likelihood of drinking and smoking at later stages
- reduce hyperactivity
How the program works
Aussie Optimism is designed for teachers to use with a whole class in school over a term with one session a week. Aussie Optimism teaches practical skills and strategies relating to social and emotional wellbeing and problem-solving in children, and makes use of empirically validated psychological and educational techniques.
Teachers attend a training workshop prior to program implementation. We have several options to choose from - please see here, or make an enquiry.
