Active learning ideas
The final topic in the curriculum focuses on resilience and the protective factors that help maintain mental health. Students explore biological strategies (adequate diet and sleep), psychological strategies (cognitive behavioural strategies), and social strategies (support from family, friends, and community). This topic empowers students with practical tools for their own lives while completing their understanding of the biopsychosocial model.
Activity 01
Students create posters for different protective factors (e.g., sleep hygiene, challenging cognitive distortions, seeking social support). They rotate around the room, adding 'real-world examples' of how a Year 12 student could practically use each strategy.
What is resilience and why is it crucial for mental wellbeing?
Activity 02
Pairs are given common cognitive distortions (e.g., 'I'm going to fail everything'). They must work together to create a 'rational counter-argument' for each, demonstrating the psychological strategy of cognitive reappraisal.
How do adequate diet and sleep act as biological protective factors?
Activity 03
Groups research local and national support services available to young Australians (e.g., Headspace, Beyond Blue). They create a map of these resources, categorising them as emotional, informational, or appraisal support.
In what ways does social support contribute to psychological resilience?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Resilience is something you are either born with or you aren't.
Students often view resilience as a fixed personality trait. Through the 'Resilience Toolkit' activity, they learn that resilience is a set of skills and behaviours that can be developed and strengthened through biological, psychological, and social strategies.
Social support just means 'having friends'.
Students may oversimplify this factor. Peer mapping of support services helps them distinguish between different types of support, such as 'tangible' (financial/physical help) versus 'emotional' (empathy and listening).
Methods used in this brief
Defining Mental Wellbeing
Explore mental health as a continuum, distinguishing between mental wellbeing, mental health problems, and mental disorders. Students will identify the internal and external factors that influence mental health.
8 methodologies
The Biopsychosocial Approach to Phobias
Apply the biopsychosocial framework to understand the development and management of specific phobias. Students will examine biological, psychological, and social contributing factors and interventions.
8 methodologies