Teach me to be happy
In the programme they were saying how this scheme has been used elsewhere and has had dramatic results in reducing childhood depression. The average age of the onset of depression is shockingly now down to age 15, instead of the previous age of 30 years (figures quoted on the BBC News programme).
The idea behind the lessons made me think back to the SEL (Spiritual and Emotional Literacy) lessons we have run in schools in Luton over the last 3 years. It’s very much about encouraging students to identify emotions in themselves and others and to help them develop an understanding of their own feelings and how they can not only positively relate to others, but to work through anything that is troubling them before it overwhelms them. Putting a language to these emotions and experiences is often what is missed in their education and so they fail to recognise it and realise that they can do something about it!
I’ve been teaching happiness for a couple of years now. I did some research on the topic and discovered that one of the key ingredients of happiness is ‘meaning’. i.e. people who believe there is a meaning of life are generally happier than those who don’t. I then put together a series of 3 lessons: an intro, self image, meaning. I asked the head of PSHE if she was interested and she was. Although the teaching is mainly secular there is some talk about spirituality and Christianity in the meaning lesson. I have found this is one of the best resources I’ve ever used because it’s current, ticks all the right boxes and even slides in some spiritual talk.