The document outlines a school-based early intervention program aimed at supporting young people during the challenging transitions of adolescence by enhancing their psychosocial competence and wellbeing. It emphasizes the importance of developing coping skills and social support, as well as providing resources for students experiencing emotional distress. The program, known as Travellers, is currently implemented in various regions and licensed by Skylight, with plans for expansion and updates to its resources.

1. A school-based early intervention programme for young people
that enhances connectedness and supports students through change

2. • Adolescence is a challenging time
involving change, loss and transition
• Opportunities for growth
• Without support and skills young people can feel
distressed
• Possible increase in incidence of mental health
concerns

3. The World Health Organisation’s four level whole
school approach to school change
Entire Create an environment conducive to promoting
Whole
school psychosocial competence and wellbeing school
community environment
All students Mental health education: Part of
and teachers Knowledge, attitudes and behaviour general curriculum
Psychosocial Students
20%-30% interventions needing additional
of students and problems help at school
3%-12% of Professional Students needing
students treatment additional mental
health intervention
Who is Level of
involved intervention

4. School-based early
intervention programme
Participants: coping with change,
transition, loss AND early signs of emotional
distress
Focus: develop coping skills and
resources

5. • The use of metaphor – life is a journey
• Promoting wellness
• Meaning making
• Thinking/Cognitive strategies
• Coping
• Social support

6. 1. Life is a Journey
Sometimes the path can be more
challenging than at other times
2. Our self esteem is our belief in our own self
worth
3. Trust your feelings - it’s OK to feel
Expressing yourself is healthy
It’s natural to find change stressful

7. 4. The way I think affects how I feel
Challenging unhelpful thoughts can help me
feel better
5. Sometimes I can change things and sometimes
I can’t BUT I can change the way I think about
things
6. Fun and Laughter help reduce stress
Relaxation re-energises
Travelling well on day trips and life journeys
deserves rewards

8. 7. Everyone needs support at times
Support can be practical and/or
emotional
8. Challenges in life can help us grow
There are strategies I can use to do life

9. Medium Group
Participants High Group
More than Only one
No one medium medium
Do you feel good about
1 yourself most of the time?
risk factor risk factor
Yes
2 Score on Weinberger
Adjustment Inventory-Subjective 40 30-40
Experience of Distress scale
(short form)
<30
2-3
3 Number of events with a 4+
major impact
0-1
7+ 4-6
Number of schools attended
4
Total

19. “We are trying to
open our hearts to
each other, let us
solve the common
problem together,
its great. “

20. “I enjoyed it and
now I feel a lot
more confident
thanks to my
group in
TRAVELLERS”

21. “It was great to be
here and I can like
myself more. Thank
you :)”

23. • Skylight has the world rights to Travellers
• International education systems/agencies need
a Territorial License from Skylight to run the
programme.
• Skylight provides full training and ongoing
support
• Travellers is currently running in Denmark under
license to Skylight.

24. • Currently 78 schools throughout New
Zealand have the capacity to run
Travellers. Over 10000 students have
completed the Questionnaire.

25. Current Travellers
Schools

26. In 2009 the programme will be rolled out in:
• South/Mid Canterbury
• West Coast South Island
• East Coast North Island
• Manawatu/Horowhenua
• Hawkes Bay/Wairarapa
• Wellington

27. Providing on-going support for existing schools
Evaluate the existing programme
Redevelopment of Programme- Updating the
resources and activities.

28. Skylight
Freephone: 0800 299 100
Travellers DD: +64 4 939 8576
Fax:+64 4 939 4759
Email: travellers@skylight-trust.org.nz
Visit us on the web at: www.travellers.org.nz