Mental Health Movement (MHM) Program
The MHM Program is a Social-Emotional Movement based program designed for students that encourages the development of:
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Confidence
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Creativity
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A Team-oriented mindset
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Peer relationships
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Coping skills
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Mental Health Education
After 8 weeks of participating in the program, 68.4% more of the students knew what coping skills were and could identify ways they were incorporating them within their life.
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Previous parent feedback:
“I have seen an improvement. She does seem to calm down and not get so upset right away”
“He is super positive [now] and always tries to find positive sides to any negative situation”
“He is doing better in school.”
100%
of students reported that they
would participate again in MHM
Community building & social skills!
Yoga, Dance & Improvisational Movement
The Background Story
During the spring semester of 2022, the Mental Health Movement Program (MHMP) was implemented for 3rd grade students at Northview Elementary in Manhattan, KS.
The program is designed to teach self-care, emotions, coping skills and allows for a designated time to address the individual’s mental health needs without an agenda, regardless of condition, status, gender, or age.
Mental health is often looked at as optional and generally neglected in primary education. This unhealthy and uneducated cycle continues in our children today unless something is done to make a more significant change. The Mental Health Movement Program strives to end social isolation and help fill the gaps.
The connection that movement provides the human body is impressive and quite possibly a breakthrough. The mind-body connection movement, such as somatics, dance and yoga, has been proven beneficial to mental health. The additional exposure of dance and improv paired with a mental health focus opens the conversation in a new and open environment.
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The Results
To examine the effect of the program on children’s mental health, pre- and post-surveys were completed by each student, as well as one of their parents or legal guardians. The data collected was then analyzed to discover any significant findings and percent change values were calculated between the pre and post-test results.
Compared to the start of the program, students reported on post-test surveys:
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They get mad or upset at others 32% less often
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68.4% more students know what coping skills are
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30% more of students could define anxiety
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30% more students use coping skills
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Students talk to others about their feelings 12.5% more
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10.8% of more students and identified friends that care about them
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Students control emotions in stressful situations 8.2% more
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Students care about other’s feelings 6.25% more
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6.8% of students increased their self-confidence.
Additionally,
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100% of students would participate in the program again, and
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100% of students said the program was creative and fun to attend
When students were asked what their favorite part of the program was, they reported the following:
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“Seeing new people and doing new movements,”
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“Yoga and bracelets,”
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“Everything.”
When asked what students were proud of within themselves, one responded “being here.”
