Open Parachute

Respond
Therapeutically
without being
a Therapist

Boost Resilience in Educators & Students through Mental Health skill-building Lessons.

Weekly lessons that teach Mental Health Skills to students of all ages.

Plug ‘n’ Play online lessons. Log on and get started in minutes. 

Pre-Prepared Programs

Our Curriculum Programs provide structured lessons right out of the box. Programs are organized by Grade, and feature unique age-appropriate content, from Kindergarten to Grade 12. There are over 30 weekly lessons available in every Grade. Lessons are organized into Units, allowing students to go deep into each topic. Every lesson features a documentary story of an age-appropriate peer.

Build your own Courses​

Our library of stand-alone Lessons enables educators to create their own custom programs. Scroll through the Library and select lessons that best suit your students. Search for lessons by age, topic, or skills. The stand-alone lessons are perfect for easing your way into teaching mental health skills, or for complementing existing programs.

Assessments & Insight Reports

Gain insights into your student's wellbeing and learning outcomes through our various assessment options. There are Pre and Post Quiz's that are used to measure skill acquisition. In addition, individual lessons conclude with a short quiz for students to test their knowledge and understanding of the skills being taught. You can also check in on the wellbeing of your entire cohort with our Wellbeing Insight Reports.

Support at your Fingertips

Our Live Chat enables every educator to get support immediately, whether it’s technical help, lesson planning, or advice on running lessons. Join Live Zoom calls each week and ask clinical support questions or get guided Onboarding Support. Educators also have access to our extensive Help Center where they can find dozens of articles and videos, created to help teachers every step of the way.
"The discussions were fantastic. The students were really open with things they were dealing with - like the kids in the videos. That was ideal because then it normalizes experiences students are afraid to verbalize and they start to realize they aren't so different after all. We were able to support these students and they were able to begin supporting each other. This program offers a very evidence-based, well laid out, easy to prep set of lessons that are specific to the grade level they teach. Students engage well because they can relate to the kids in the videos."

Build Resilience

Each lesson is based around documentary videos which showcase real youth sharing their own experiences of overcoming struggle. Peer role-modeling is clinically proven to help students develop resilience, while also creating a sense of safety in the classroom, enabling students to explore their own experiences of struggle.

“It was really well received by our students. It really removed the stigma of talking about mental health and wellness and the students really loved it.”

“It was really well received by our students. It really removed the stigma of talking about mental health and wellness and the students really loved it.”

Amanda Botic - School Counsellor

Easy to Facilitate

Each video contains teaching points from our founder, Clinical Psychologist Dr Hayley Watson. These concise, targeted messages ensure that the core therapeutic aims and key learning points are clear to students and teachers.

“The clips from Dr hayley were very clear and concise.”

“The clips from Dr hayley were very clear and concise.”

Taura Berg - Director of student services

Pre-Prepared Lessons

Each lesson contains exercises that enable students to analyze the learning points and practice mental health skills-building exercises. These conversations change the way students interact in other contexts outside of class, minimizing the isolation and vulnerability of students when they are struggling with their mental health.

“Kids are learning to take perspective. They’re showing a lot more empathy for others and a greater understanding for people who struggle.”

“Kids are learning to take perspective. They’re showing a lot more empathy for others and a greater understanding for people who struggle.”

Jenny Williams - Director of Educational Support Services

Capacity Building

By running Open Parachute, teachers get a chance to practice fundamental mental health concepts. Alongside their students, teachers learn important skills that not only give them confidence to support the mental health of their students, but also improve their own mental health along the way.

“They’ve got the language, they’ve got the resources and they feel like they have greater confidence to help students navigate issues as they come up.”

“They’ve got the language, they’ve got the resources and they feel like they have greater confidence to help students navigate issues as they come up.”

Carol -Ann Leidloff - Director of Instruction

Self-Reflection

Each program includes time for writing privately about sensitive topics, to assist students in reflecting on the material in the context of their own challenges. Journaling is a powerful tool for positive mental health outcomes, and the program introduces and reinforces this useful habit for students.

“When there are journaling opportunities, there’s really no other time in the school day that students can express themselves in that way, or even be asked these questions about how they’re feeling, or some of the thoughts they’re having or even some of the experiences that are going on in their life.”

“When there are journaling opportunities, there’s really no other time in the school day that students can express themselves in that way, or even be asked these questions about how they’re feeling, or some of the thoughts they’re having or even some of the experiences that are going on in their life.”

Taura Berg - Director of Student Services

"Open Parachute was the tool we were looking for to help us engage with our students about their thoughts and feelings. This peer-based learning approach has improved student engagement in discourse focused on the critical understanding of issues related to mental health."

Engaging Lesson Topics that map onto core curriculum

Lesson 1: Making Safe Choices When I’m Angry

Lesson 2: Apologizing After a Disagreement

Lesson 3: Listening To My Feelings

Lesson 4: Showing Empathy

Lesson 5: Accepting “No” as an Answer

Lesson 1: Getting to Know My Emotions

Lesson 2: Getting to Know My Thoughts

Lesson 3: Sharing My Happy Thoughts

Lesson 4: Embracing a Growth Mindset

Lesson 1: What It Means to Be a Friend

Lesson 2: How My Actions Can Impact Others

Lesson 3: Choosing Differently, Next Time!

Lesson 4: Belly Breathing: Calming My Body & Mind

Lesson 1: Knowing When Things Are Not Okay

Lesson 2: Communicating When Things Are Not Okay

Lesson 3: Seeking Help When Things Are Not Okay

Lesson 1: Paying Attention to How I Feel

Lesson 2: Choosing Kindness, Even When It’s Hard!

Lesson 3: Bullying: Staying Safe & Speaking Up

Lesson 4: Understanding Unkind Actions

Lesson 1: Identifying My Emotions

Lesson 2: Skills for Self-Regulation: Bumblebee Breathing

Lesson 3: Skills for Self-Regulation: Mountain Breathing

Lesson 4: Skills for Self-Regulation: Five-Finger Breathing

Lesson 1: How Anger & Happiness Feel in/on My Body

Lesson 2: Changing My Negative Thoughts to Positive Thoughts

Lesson 3: Reassuring Our Friends

Lesson 4: Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset

Lesson 1: Using My Words to Express Emotion

Lesson 2: Repairing & Apologizing

Lesson 3: Accepting “NO” As An Answer

Lesson 4: Using “I Feel” Statements

Lesson 5: Walk In Their Shoes

Lesson 1: Being a Friend

Lesson 2: How I Impact My Friends

Lesson 3: Making Positive Choices Towards Friends

Lesson 4: Wheel of Positive Choices

Lesson 1: Knowing When Things Are Not Okay

Lesson 2: Communicating When Things Are Not Okay

Lesson 3: Seeking Help When Things Are Not Okay

Lesson 1: Noticing What I Need From Others

Lesson 2: Choosing Kindness, Even When It’s Hard

Lesson 3: How Can I HANDle A Bully?

Lesson 4: Understanding Unkind Actions

Lesson 1: Getting to Know My Feelings: Happy

Lesson 2: Getting to Know My Feelings: Sad

Lesson 3: Getting to Know My Feelings: Surprised

Lesson 4: Getting to Know My Feelings: Angry

Lesson 5: Getting to Know My Feelings: Impressed

Lesson 1: Listening to My True Feelings

Lesson 2: Expressing My True Feelings

Lesson 3: Talking to a Trusted Adult

Lesson 1: The Power of Positive Thoughts

Lesson 2: Using Words of Encouragement to Help

Lesson 3: Understanding & Calming Our Worries

Lesson 1: Roles & Responsibilities

Lesson 2: Managing Big Reactions

Lesson 3: Making Helpful Choices

Lesson 4: Expressing My Needs

Lesson 1: Likes & Dislikes

Lesson 2: Setting Boundaries in Friendships

Lesson 3: Taking Time & Space When I Need It

Lesson 4: Having & Showing Empathy

Lesson 1: What to Do When Feeling Left Out

Lesson 2: Coping With BIG Feelings

Lesson 3: Embracing a Growth Mindset

Lesson 4: Accepting Myself as I Am

Lesson 1: Navigating Life Changes

Lesson 2: Treating Others With Kindness

Lesson 3: Coping With Worries

Lesson 1: How My Actions Impact Friendships

Lesson 2: Communicating Hurt Feelings

Lesson 3: Repairing & Apologizing

Lesson 4: Communicating Clearly in Friendships

Lesson 5: Positive Friendships

Lesson 1: Making New Friends

Lesson 2: Negative Thoughts From Bullying

Lesson 3: Support From a Trusted Adult

Lesson 4: Be an Upstander, Not a Bystander!

Lesson 1: Everyone Belongs!

Lesson 2: Learning From Each Other

Lesson 3: ALL Feelings Are Okay!

Lesson 4: Making Safe & Helpful Choices

Lesson 1: Supporting Friends Through Worries

Lesson 2: Reframing Worried Thoughts

Lesson 3: Understanding Grief & Loss

Lesson 4: Reflecting on Positive Memories

Lesson 1:My Circle of Control

Lesson 2: Realistic Thinking

Lesson 3: Being Mindful

Lesson 4: The Highlight Reel vs. the Real Deal

Lesson 1: Staying True to Yourself

Lesson 2: Perspective-Taking

Lesson 3: Empathy in Action

Lesson 1: Friendship Challenges

Lesson 2: Being an Active Listener

Lesson 3: Getting to Know My Boundaries

Lesson 4: Responsible Decision-Making in Relationships

Lesson 1: Embracing Our Unique Classroom Community

Lesson 2: Identifying Healthy & Unhealthy Relationships

Lesson 3: Problem-Solving in an Unhealthy Relationship

Lesson 1: The Impact of Being Unkind

Lesson 2: The Power of Positive Self-Talk

Lesson 3: Managing Stress in a Healthy Way

Lesson 4: Showing Compassion & Empathy

Lesson 5: Setting Healthy Boundaries

Lesson 1: Building Resilience: Journaling

Lesson 2: Building Resilience: Gratitude

Lesson 3: Building Resilience: Connection

Lesson 1: Physical Reactions to Stress

Lesson 2: Patterns of Reaction

Lesson 3: Things We Can vs. Can’t Control

Lesson 4: Thought Stopping: Skills for Anxiety

Lesson 1: Exploring Uniqueness

Lesson 2: Understanding Bullying & Connecting with Others

Lesson 3: Supporting Ourselves

Lesson 4: STOP Bullying

Lesson 1: Identifying Triggers: Skills for Anger

Lesson 2: Exploring Big Feelings: Skills for Anger

Lesson 3: It’s Not Your Fault

Lesson 4: Sharing Our Struggles

Lesson 1: Goal-Setting & Perseverance

Lesson 2: Negative Thought Traps

Lesson 3: Noticing My Anxious Patterns: Skills for Anxiety

Lesson 4: Social Media & Motivation

Lesson 5: Creating A Personal Self-Care Plan

Lesson 1: Dealing With A Major Loss

Lesson 2: Dealing With Anxiety

Lesson 3: Dealing With Grief

Lesson 4: Supporting Myself Using Self-Soothing Strategies

Lesson 1: Overcoming Friendship Challenges

Lesson 2: Thinking Positive Thoughts: Skills for Friendship

Lesson 3: Identifying Positive Qualities in Our Friends

Lesson 4: Making New Friends

Lesson 1: Understanding & Challenging Stereotypes

Lesson 2: Positive Self-Talk: Skills for Resilience

Lesson 3: How to Support Others

Lesson 4: Mentorship & Supporting Others: Skills for Leadership

Lesson 1: Understanding My Stress Response

Lesson 2: Soothing Our Stress Response

Lesson 3: Breaking Anxious Habits

Lesson 4: Anxiety: Raising Awareness

Lesson 1: Shifting Focus (What I Can & Can’t Control)

Lesson 2: Changing Our Thoughts About Learning

Lesson 3: Trauma & The Way Our Brain Changes

Lesson 4: Trauma Patterns

Lesson 5: Changing Our Story

Lesson 1: Forgiving & Repairing

Lesson 2: Setting Boundaries for Hurtful Actions

Lesson 3: Being An Upstander, Not A Bystander

Lesson 4: Respecting Each Other

Lesson 1: Overcoming Stereotypes & Respecting Others

Lesson 2: The Challenge of Trying To Fit In

Lesson 3: Choosing Helpful Thoughts

Lesson 4: Boosting Our Self-Esteem & Finding Joy

Lesson 1: The Cycle of Hurt: Skills for Resilience

Lesson 2: Setting Boundaries

Lesson 3: Taking Accountability

Lesson 1: Exploring Privileges

Lesson 2: The Impacts of Trauma

Lesson 3: Fight, Flight, Freeze

Lesson 4: Raising Awareness About Mental Health

Lesson 1: Using Empathy & Listening Skills

Lesson 2: Understanding What’s Beneath Anger

Lesson 3: Normalizing Feelings & Practicing Self-Soothing

Lesson 4: Volunteering & Supporting Others

Lesson 1: Identifying Unhelpful Reactions: Skills for Anger

Lesson 2: Staying True to Myself

Lesson 3: Letting Go Of “Perfection”

Lesson 4: Mindfulness: Building Resilience & Fostering Well-Being

Lesson 1: Speaking Up About Abuse

Lesson 2: Complex Emotions & The Impacts of Abuse

Lesson 3: Supporting Each Other

Lesson 4: Online Abuse

Lesson 1: Creating Inclusion

Lesson 2: Self-Beliefs & Realistic Thinking Strategies

Lesson 3: Understanding The Actions of Others

Lesson 4: The Things I Can & Can’t Control

Lesson 1: Body Image & Growing Pains

Lesson 2: Stereotypes & Comparisons

Lesson 3: Trying To ‘Fit In’

Lesson 4: Overcoming Stereotypes (On & Offline)

Lesson 1: Managing Stress

Lesson 2: The Impact of Expectations

Lesson 3: Online Influences & Gender Norms

Lesson 4: Consent

Lesson 5: Thinking About My Future

Lesson 1: Trauma & The Brain

Lesson 2: Counteracting Trauma & Stress Responses

Lesson 3: Volunteering & Supporting Others

Lesson 4: Advocating For My Own Mental Health

Lesson 1: The Courage To Share Our Truth

Lesson 2: True Leadership

Lesson 3: Objectification & Respect 

Lesson 4: Creating Positive Cultural Change

Lesson 1: Navigating Change With Courage

Lesson 2: Unhealthy Relationships & Peer Pressure

Lesson 3: Navigating Stressors At Home & At School

Lesson 4: Embracing Changes & New Beginnings

Lesson 1: Counteracting Cultural Messages

Lesson 2: Managing Insecurities

Lesson 3: The Power of Honesty

Lesson 4: Listening To My True Feelings

Lesson 1: Harmful Actions & Sexual Responsibility

Lesson 2: Exploring Boundaries

Lesson 3: Power Imbalances

Lesson 4: Overcoming Barriers & Finding Power

Lesson 1: Aggression & Making Assumptions

Lesson 2: The Impacts of Trauma & Prejudice

Lesson 3: Stress Responses

Lesson 4: Self-Reflection & Raising Awareness

Lesson 1: Bullying & Group Mentality

Lesson 2: Groups & Consent

Lesson 3: The Impacts of Porn & Online Images

Lesson 4: Being A Part Of The Solution

Lesson 1: Analyzing Cultural Patterns

Lesson 2: Bullying & Online Aggression

Lesson 3: Criticism & Self-Critical Thoughts

Lesson 4: Body Image

Lesson 5: Making Changes

Lesson 1: Accepting Others

Lesson 2: Practicing Empathy

Lesson 3: Self-Acceptance

Lesson 4: Offering Support

Lesson 1: Active Listening

Lesson 2: Unhelpful Responses

Lesson 3: Supporting Others

Lesson 4: Creating Safe Spaces

Lesson 1: Setting Boundaries

Lesson 2: Reactions

Lesson 3: Understanding & Reflecting

Lesson 4: Noticing Our Power

Lesson 1: The Hard Things

Lesson 2: Fight, Flight, Freeze

Lesson 3: Mental Health & Isolation

Lesson 4: Helping Ourselves

Lesson 1: Loneliness

Lesson 2: Numbing Our Pain

Lesson 3: Choices

Lesson 4: Issues of Consent

Lesson 5: Unhelpful Patterns

Lesson 6: Self-Reflection

Lesson 1: Differences

Lesson 2: ‘Perfection’ & ‘Failure’

Lesson 3: True Strength

Lesson 4: Self-Advocacy

Lesson 1: Unconscious Bias

Lesson 2: Pressure & Gangs

Lesson 3: Growth & Change

Lesson 4: Consent & Power

Lesson 5: Making Meaning

Lesson 1: Self-Beliefs

Lesson 2: Responding To Negativity

Lesson 3: Changing Patterns

Lesson 4: Self-Awareness

Lesson 1: Repeated Trauma

Lesson 2: Depression

Lesson 3: Patterns of Trauma

Lesson 1: I Need To Be “Fixed”

Lesson 2: Avoidance

Lesson 3: Noticing

Lesson 4: Mental Health Support

Lesson 1: Stages of Grief

Lesson 2: Loss of Control & Addiction

Lesson 3: Family Patterns

Lesson 4: Processing Grief

Lesson 5: Understanding Others

Lesson 1: The Stress of Leaving School

Lesson 2: Past Trauma & New Challenges

Lesson 3: Letting Go

Lesson 4: Embracing The Future

Lesson 1: Coping With Loss

Lesson 2: Addictive Patterns

Lesson 3: Displaced Emotions

Lesson 4: Stepping Outside Our Comfort Zone

Lesson 1: Violations of Consent

Lesson 2: Post-Trauma

Lesson 3: Objectification

Lesson 4: Healthy Relationships

Lesson 1: Building Empathy

Lesson 2: Stereotypes & Bias

Lesson 3: Creating Change

Systemize your Tier 1 approach.

With separate programs for K-12, Open Parachute can run in your school district for years to come.
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