Happiness is... Feeling Good & Doing Good

IB attributes: reflective, balanced

“Name three things for which you were grateful in the past week.” This was the very first directive given during presentations to students and staff on the concept of positive education.

“What positive words can you use to describe yourself ? What are three things that you have overcome?” While the notion of well-being is complex and composed of a variety of elements related to human needs, the act of completing these exercises has an immediate and simple effect: you feel better.

Dr. Michael Seligman’s PERMA-V model

At LCC we have shifted how we reinforce student wellness by adopting Dr. Michael Seligman’s PERMA-V model. Guided by his theory, which identifies a series of factors that influence well-being and happiness (see graphic), we encourage our students to reflect on what enables them to flourish and thrive, rather than fix what is wrong. We support them in reframing negative thoughts and viewing situations through a different lens. We help our students to become aware of their own strengths and recognize them in others. And finally, we embrace stress as something that is not necessarily bad, but rather something that can be managed better.

This model has become a transformative approach to promoting positive mental health within the school community.

MICHELE OWEN, Director of Student Life

GILLIAN SHADLEY, Coordinator of Wellness and Outreach Programs