... THE ODDS OF BEING BULLIED
BY OTHERS IN THE PROJECT 11 CLASSROOMS
DECREASED BY 54 %
FROM PRE-TEST TO POST-TEST OF THE PROGRAM!
“ As well, Eric Comrie, the Moose goaltender, has become interested in the program and has visited some of the classrooms. We’ re also very lucky to have a passionate, experienced teacher like Suzi, that takes an active role in the program and helps motivate students at each of her teacher or student workshops.
Meanwhile, as Project 11 grows rapidly throughout our province, the Jets fifth annual Hockey Talks Night will be held on Feb. 28, when the Minnesota Wild invade MTS Centre.
Hockey Talks attempts to provide information from experts in order to alleviate some of the misconceptions associated with mental illness. It also identifies resources available to those in need of help or support.
“ Hockey Talks was an initiative created by the Vancouver Canucks and adopted by the other Canadian-based NHL clubs over five years ago” explained Green.“ We use the month of February to promote both mental wellness and Project 11.”
During the month of February, each team will raise awareness about mental health through in-arena messaging at a home game. The in-game programming on Feb. 28, at MTS Centre will help inform fans about mental health issues and the associated challenges. The Jets will dedicate that game night to bringing awareness to mental health and offering fans the opportunity to get involved through social media.
In fact, fans will have the opportunity to lend their voices by downloading a Hockey Talks sign and posting a picture via social media with the hashtag # HockeyTalks as a symbol of lending one’ s voice in support of mental health awareness.
However, as Jets fans prepare for Hockey Talks Night on Feb. 28, Suzi Friesen, with help from the likes of Mark Stuart and Eric Comrie, will continue to deliver the lessons of Project 11 to students throughout Manitoba. Fans will also notice some interviews shared on social media during the month of February. Ten of the Winnipeg Jets were interviewed early 2017 by a grade 8 student, Herlinda Dalayoan, who has been involved in the Project 11 program for 3 years. Herlinda asked each player what they do to support their own Mental Wellness on and off the ice. Players also shared why they think February’ s Hockey Talks initiative is so important.
The Lesson Plan Themes are quite straight forward:
Grade 5: Friendship, Communication, and Self-Reflection Grade 6: Stress, Communication, and Self-Reflection Grade 7: Self-Awareness, Communication, and Relationships Grade 8: Self-Awareness, Relationships, and Community
Project 11 uses concepts such as practicing focusing the mind, increasing self-awareness of feelings and strengths, and building positive relationships by concentrating on particular areas.
According to Friesen, it is the goal of of the program for students to:
• Provide students with the opportunity to self-reflect and become more self-aware
• Increase their ability to connect with one another
• Increase self-awareness of social, emotional and physical wellness
• Create a stage of empathy and sense of community within their classroom
• Enhance their academic performance
• Build on students’ confidence & communication skills
Friesen shared that“ Last year’ s records from the grades 5 and 6 pilot confirmed that there is a need for mental wellness education in schools. Both teachers and students expressed their admiration for the program and appreciated the stage of empathy that the program naturally created within their classroom community. One statistic that was prominent in our findings was that the odds of being bullied by others in the Project 11 classrooms decreased by 54 % from pre-test to posttest of the program!”
“ We’ re the ones who are executing the program, but it’ s Rick who made the difference. He’ d be smiling down on this and he deserves a great legacy.” said Heisinger.