Education Perfect x Matterworks: Decode Mental Health & Wellbeing NZ
Education Perfect and Matterworks are proud to launch Decode Mental Health & Wellbeing, a high-quality evidence-based program for students and teachers in New Zealand.
In this article
What is Decode Mental Health & Wellbeing?
Decode for students is a cutting-edge video series focused on mental health and wellbeing.
- Available for students in upper primary, intermediate and junior secondary across New Zealand, lessons are presented in an entertaining and engaging format with relatable, real-life stories that illustrate mental health concerns and provide actionable learning outcomes.
- Hosted by dynamic content creator and TikTok sensation, JasmineTXO, each episode contains energetic explanations, honest interviews, and fun-filled games related to mental health. Jasmine is joined by some of Australia’s most inspiring and engaging content creators, sports people, and change-makers.
Decode for teachers is a professional development programme that provides teachers with the tools to help manage student mental health and wellbeing. While the student and teacher courses are independent, they are available together as a package.
You can also check out this information pack for more detailed information about Decode Mental Health & Wellbeing.
The Partnership
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (Murdoch Children's) is the largest child health research institute in Australia and one of the top three worldwide for research quality and impact. There are 1200 researchers dedicated to making discoveries to prevent and treat childhood conditions.
- Matterworks is a social edutainment studio dedicated to translating life-changing health research into content that educates and empowers young people, families, and educators.
- Education Perfect (EP) is a complete online teaching and learning solution that offers customisable content, adaptive learning programmes, data analytics, and comprehensive insights on student learning, progress, and achievement.
How have three organisations collaborated to create Decode Mental Health & Wellbeing?
- Murdoch Children's has provided evidence-backed research and medical credibility.
- Matterworks creates engaging, digestible and relatable video content from that research.
- EP transforms video resources and research into engaging, holistic, and progressive lessons.
Decode for students
Decode Mental Health & Wellbeing content is available for students in upper primary, intermediate and junior secondary across New Zealand.
Content overview
Each package includes two topics, each including the following:
- 16 Lessons
- Supporting videos
- 1x Teacher Guide (implementation)
- Digital Course Certificate
Each individual topic includes:
- 8x lessons
- Supporting Videos
| Product | Topic | Lessons |
| Decode Part 1 | What is mental health? |
Eight lessons |
| Inside the brain | Eight lessons | |
| Decode Part 2 | Emotions and feelings | Eight lessons |
| Who’s on my team? | Eight lessons | |
| Decode Part 3 | Decoding mental health | Eight lessons |
| Mind matters | Eight lessons | |
| Decode Part 4 | All the feels | Eight lessons |
| Who’s my crew? | Eight lessons |
Topic 1: What is Mental Health?
Purpose: To build an understanding of mental health, establish consistent language to describe and talk about mental health, understand mental/emotional and substance/external factors and break down misconceptions and myths.
Topic 2: Inside the Brain
Purpose: To understand how the brain develops, especially during puberty, how this impacts our health and wellbeing, including our relationship with others, and how to build a healthy brain.
Topic 3: Emotions & Feelings
Purpose: To understand emotions, what and why we feel, positive and negative emotions and how to express these, how to manage emotions including stress and build resilience to help move past adversity.
Topic 4: Who’s On My Team?
Purpose: To understand how others can influence our wellbeing and mental health, including our communities and culture, the importance of building positive relationships and ensuring we create and have safe spaces to discuss sensitive and challenging topics.
How can I explore the Decode for student resources?
Register your interest and our friendly team will be in touch to set you up with access to our trial lessons.
They'll be happy to walk you through these and suggest ways of implementing the full courses in your school.
How can I implement Decode in the classroom?
- All resources are on the EP platform and are accessible from any device (phone, tablet, laptop).
- We recommend offering a Decode lesson weekly, over two terms - but this is really up to you. The course is designed to be flexible.
- Comprehensive teacher guides are provided with recommended implementation plans, and lesson guidelines, supporting teachers to assign each lesson to their students as they progress through the course.
Decode Mental Health & Wellbeing for teachers
Decode for teachers is a supporting professional development course that is offered alongside our student resource. This course is designed to educate teachers about mental health and wellbeing concepts, enabling them to support students with their mental health and wellbeing.
Content overview
There are six topics in the Decode Mental Health & Wellbeing for teachers' series, including the four key topics from the student course and two bonus topics including Gender identity and sexuality. Each topic takes 30-45 minutes, and teachers will have one year to complete the course.
Each Topic Includes:
- 1 x 15 Minute Podcast
- 1 x Lesson
- 1x formative assessment
- 30 - 45 Mins of Learning Time
Each topic is centred around an engaging Decode Mental Health & Wellbeing podcast discussion hosted by Walkley Award-winning journalist and presenter Mon Schafter. Mon is joined by Professor Harriet Hiscock, who is a researcher and paediatrician from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.
Together, they tackle the burning issues relating to mental health in children, work through classroom-based mental health hypotheticals, and hear from some of Australia’s most inspiring and diverse young minds to gain invaluable insight into how to foster positive mental health in students.
| Lesson | Overview |
| What is Mental Health | In this lesson, you will learn about various aspects of mental health for your students and yourself. The lesson looks at the science of mental health, information on what 'good' mental health looks like, and tips to help spot the signs and signals of mental health issues. This lesson works in conjunction with the podcast episode, which explores the same topics. |
| Inside the Brain | In this lesson, you will explore the changing child and adolescent brain and how this development influences thinking, emotions and behaviour in young people. This lesson works in conjunction with a podcast that explores this topic and the effects of environmental factors and habits like sleep, diet, exercise and social media on the brain. |
| Emotions | This lesson explores child and adolescent emotions and feelings and how they relate to development and mental health. The lesson and podcast unpack child and adolescent emotions and feelings, breaking down the causes and effects of feeling strong emotions. |
| Emotions + Teacher Wellbeing | This lesson is designed to further explore the content covered in a part two podcast episode on emotions and feelings, focusing specifically on resilience, empathy and self-regulation. It will also look at how to support your own mental health, well-being and self-care. |
| Who's on my Team? | This topic explores how relationships play into young people's development, sense of self and mental health. The lesson and podcast focus on people and places of belonging, peer influence and cyberbullying. |
| Gender Identity | In this lesson, you will learn about gender identity and how to facilitate a safe, affirming environment. The lesson and podcast break down gender identity and provide guidance on terminology and supportive strategies. |
What is the time requirement?
- This course is asynchronous. You can complete it whenever and wherever suits you - you'll just need a stable internet connection and somewhere quiet to focus.
- You have up to 12 months after registering to complete the course.
- You can complete Decode for teachers at the same time as you're delivering the student course - or complete them independently of each other.
Will I get a certificate?
Yes! On course completion, teachers will be provided with a Digital Certificate.