The Resilience Project

In 2022, Trinity College, in partnership with The Resilience Project, are teaching students how they can practice Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness in their day-to-day lives, and how these practices can lead to greater happiness.

HISTORY OF THE RESILIENCE PROJECT

In 2008, a young Melbournian school teacher was travelling through India and wound up doing some volunteer work in a small desert village in the country’s far north. This village had no running water, no electricity, and no beds in the mud huts that the locals called home. What began as a two week visit to lend a hand to those less fortunate ended up being a three-month residency which taught this young teacher more about happiness than any other experience he’d ever had. The young teacher’s name was Hugh van Cuylenberg, and those three months would be the catalyst for his wellbeing program called The Resilience Project. What Hugh came to realise during his three-month stay was that these people were amongst the happiest people on earth, despite not having access to many of the things that we here in Australia take for granted. He came to realise that practising gratitude, empathy and mindfulness every day is what led them to being so happy, and came to the conclusion that we need to be doing the same thing back in Australia to help address the increasing mental health issues that were becoming more and more prevalent. This experience inspired Hugh to further his post-graduate studies upon his return to Melbourne. What soon became evident was that the research had been there for a long time in support of these three principles, and from these revelations, The Resilience Project was born.

WHAT DOES THE RESILIENCE PROJECT DO?

The Resilience Project focuses on educating young people on the three GEM principles of Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness plus Emotional Literacy, and how they can practise these in their day-to-day lives that can help lead to greater happiness. The school’s program for each year group is structured around 50 x 20-minute lessons focused on one of these principles, and involve practical activities, educational and entertaining videos, and small-group and whole-class discussion. The lessons are complemented by a student workbook to help guide their discussions and understanding, and also involve at-home activities to help them extend the conversations with their families.

WHY IS THIS PROGRAM IMPORTANT FOR BOYS AT TRINITY COLLEGE?

With research now showing that one in four adolescents have a mental illness, as a school and community it is important that we continue to help our students improve their mental health and find ways to equip them with the knowledge and tools to work their way through the challenges they face. TRP does just that with Trinity students in Years 7–10 engaging with TRP to varying levels throughout the first part of 2022 with a vision to expand this into our Junior School from as early as next year. Ultimately, the goal through this program is to develop compassionate, thankful and respectful young men who are able to remove the natural negativitybias possessed by many humans, and instead more readily identify the positives that exist in their lives.

Organise a family games night.

Research has shown that: • one in four adolescents has a mental illness • 50% of mental health issues begin before the age of 15 • one in seven primary school kids have a mental illness • one in five adults will experience mental ill-health throughout the year • 65% of adolescents do not seek help for mental illness • students learn better when they are happy and calm • prevention rather than treatment can reduce the burden of mental health issues by as much as 22%.

Really listen and be there, without judgement – look at them when they are talking to you.

Plan a family outing or one on one date with your child/ren – keep in mind their interests.

HOW CAN PARENTS GET INVOLVED?

The Resilience Project schools program includes access to a Parent and Carer Hub, as well as TRP@Home activities which complement the work that the students are doing in class. These activities help educate families on how they can practise the GEM principles in and around the home, further supporting our students. Why don’t you have a go at the example we have included about ‘Ways to grow family connections’? The Trinity College website and social media will also feature regular tips and practices for all our community to access, and we encourage you to post the outcomes of your GEM practices to further illustrate the power of Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness in our lives.

“The Resilience Project lessons have been helpful for me to learn about my mindset and have taught me the importance of a good and strong mental state” Marcus Dawes-Reqeujo (7.3)

“The Resilience Project lessons have been very informing and helpful for me, and I am sure it has been helpful for many other students who are going through hard times. For me The Resilience Project helped me with small problems like stress about tests.” Reuben Panaia (7.3)

Ways to grow family connections

Gratitude

Paying attention to the things that we have right now, and not worrying about what we don’t have. We practise this by noticing the positives that exist around us.

Empathy

Putting ourselves in the shoes of others to feel and see what they do. We practise this through being kind and compassionate towards other people.

Mindfulness

Our ability to be calm and present at any given moment. We practise this through slowing down and concentrating on one thing at a time.

Emotional Literacy

Our ability to label our emotions as we experience them. Labelling our emotions helps us to manage our emotions (soften negative emotions and find positive emotions). We practise this be labelling our emotions as we experience different parts of our day. Talk about what went well in their day and what they are looking forward to the next day.

Schedule family time – this could be having dinner together at the table.