... 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 .