The 5 Ways to Wellbeing
Our latest programme Talking Heads is now available for schools to book. This new programme uses drama and discussion workshops to help students in Key Stage 3 to understand mental health, know where to get support and develop strategies for wellbeing.
The programme was developed with young people, teachers, academics and other mental health professionals. Part of the research involved asking for any existing models or tips that we could share in the programme. The most popular response was The 5 Ways of Wellbeing. This is used by many schools, councils and organisations and so we incorporated this into our performance and workshop.
Below is an adapted extract from the new script where Ava and Tye, the two main characters from the new programme explain what the 5 Ways to Wellbeing is all about.
TYE: Ava and Tye here. We’re going to teach you the 5 Ways to Wellbeing. The first is Connect!
AVA: Connect is about connecting with other people, being around them and having a real conversation…instead of looking at a screen (like you’re doing now!)
TYE: The second is…Be active! Stay fit and look after yourself, play sport, do yoga. And the simplest things can make a difference…like getting a good nights sleep and eating well.
AVA: The third is…Learn. Find something that interests you and learn about it. Get new knowledge or learn a new skill. Learn how to cook or juggle, learn a language, lyrics to a song….anything but learn something new!
TYE: The fourth is…Take notice. Look around you. Not just at your screen but be interested in things. You’ll be amazed at the stuff you didn’t notice before when you have your head up and look around.
AVA: Lastly, the fifth is….Give. Give your time, help others out. Helping others can feel great and makes a difference to someone else so double whammy! Help with the housework, offer to do something, volunteer.
TYE: Doing the 5 ways to wellbeing makes a big difference….it did for me. Sometimes things can feel bad but they do get better if you do these things and ask for help.
AVA: One last thing remember how important being a friend can be and don’t make things worse. Don’t take the mick out of people’s mental health and think about the words you use to describe them and….don’t put nasty comments on social media! Just..er….Don’t! What’s the point? Why would you want to add more negativity? Just be a mate!
Watch a clip here: