Happy school – school favourable to mental health

First and foremost we apply, cause we care about the mental health situations at schools. Second - we do have expertise working in this area. Third - we had an idea and some insights for a tool, h...

We wanted to design the innovative on-line tool for the multi stakeholder assessment of mental health situation at schools. Thus helping schools to build on-going mechanism for evaluation of mental health, that support engagement and commitment of different stakeholders, and applying specific techniques to resolve the issues on different levels: management, classroom climate and learning environment. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 1) contribute to increasing the attainment levels among children and adolescence. 2) foster truly inclusive education and training based on addressing the common needs for wellbeing among students. management, classroom climate and learning environment In order to create the final product we aimed to implement the research and design the authentic questionnaire. The questionnaire offers solution how to integrate different perspectives around the same theme.

With in two years we implemented these activities: IO1 - created HAPPY SCHOOL framework: desk research questionnaire pilot testing production of the framework experts interviews IO2 - created Happy School self-assessment tool and community platform: pilot testing expert interviews production of the platform, website, forum teachers’ guidebook Other activities Multiplier events Dissemination events Transnational meetings

In the IO1 activities were involved 302 people (140 young people, 120 parents, 80 teachers and school workers) The piloting of the tool involved 164 people (50 experts of them) The multiplier events attracted 140 people The communication activities (social media) reached 16 598 people. As well we had a reportage in TV and article in newsletter about our project results and idea. The views in our platform at this moment we do have 2 336 and 241 users. The main products: a) 1 online community platform b) 1 user guide (framework), desk researches reports c) 1 Self-assessment model (HAPPY SCHOOL model) d) overview on wellbeing from all partners e) 4 newsletters more detailed: IO1 - created HAPPY SCHOOL 1. desk research reports 2. project concept presentation 3. questionnaire with main questions for each eleven criterias: Psychologically safe environment - Experienced professional dedicated to fostering psychologically safe work environments through trust, open communication, and employee well-being, with a proven track record in addressing challenges, reducing workloads, promoting innovation, and advocating for mental health. Academic development - Building a positive school climate involves fostering strong relationships, implementing engaging instructional practices, developing social, emotional, and academic skills, and establishing integrated school supports through community partnerships, all aimed at nurturing students' overall well-being and providing a comprehensive education. Physical health - It's crucial for children and adolescents to adopt an active lifestyle early on to prevent health issues and enhance learning, with WHO guidelines suggesting at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity daily and reducing sedentary screen time. Emotional intelligence - Emotional Intelligence (EI) plays a vital role in education, with organizations promoting EI and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programs, emphasizing its significance, assessment measures, and impact on academic achievement and school retention. Integrating EI into educational settings is crucial for enhancing student well-being and success, supported by research and organizations, ultimately benefiting both academic outcomes and emotional well-being. Learning/teaching environment - Creating a positive learning environment is crucial for children's growth, integrating physical, social, and emotional elements to enhance their overall educational experience and foster effective teaching and learning, supported by strategies like establishing routines, promoting student engagement, and addressing diverse needs. Сooperation with teachers - Collaboration among educators enhances teamwork, idea sharing, and student outcomes, fostering structured cooperation through innovative lesson planning, student assessment, and shared educational culture, employing diverse collaboration models and teaching methods to meet student needs and build communication and trust. Emotional environment - Creating a supportive social-emotional learning (SEL) environment is crucial for fostering student development, enhancing academic performance, and promoting overall well-being in the classroom. Acceptance/personal recognition - Effective praise, when utilized properly, enhances teacher-student relationships, minimizes behavior disruptions, and optimizes instructional time, with effort-based and behavior-specific praise being particularly impactful in motivating students towards empowerment and achievement. School’s community - A connected school community fosters belonging, pride, and motivation among students, teachers, parents, and wider members. It promotes shared learning goals, increases opportunities through digital collaboration, supports personalized learning, and values diverse skills. This community encourages shared responsibility and contributes to improved outcomes, facilitated by online platforms and educational software. Openness to ideas and opinions - The 'Daily Me' trend, seen in personalized digital news, risks creating filter bubbles, limiting exposure to diverse perspectives. Educators can counter this by fostering open discussions, promoting skepticism, and encouraging students to seek diverse viewpoints. Effect of the school - Creating a positive classroom atmosphere is essential for student well-being and learning, emphasizing quality relationships, individualized teaching, and active student engagement to foster a happy and inclusive environment. 4. production of the framework: logic of the questions (holistic approach, that means including academical, physical and emotional intelligence based questions) 5. experts interviews IO2 - created Happy School self-assessment tool and community platform: the logic and structure of the platform pilot testing expert interviews forum for Happy School community teachers’ guidebook: main course and specific courses for each criteria Other activities: Multiplier events discussions with teachers during the piloting and testing period Dissemination events Transnational meetings