Open Parachute

Don't waste money
on a program that
doesn't get used.

Pre-planned lessons mean less
preparation for your teachers.

Engaging Lessons that students will love

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

Give your teachers a break

Let a Clinical Psychologist do the work! 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

Take learning outside the classroom

Each lesson contains partner 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, minimising 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

Teachers become more confident

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

Student-led exercises

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."

Simple and practical resources to help teachers address student mental health

Mental health expertise not required

Be confident that your
students are supported

Teachers are taught how to successfully run the Open Parachute program in a series of training videos. Teachers are taught how to use their existing educator skills to effectively run lessons that support the mental health of all their students.

Build your teachers’ confidence

Teachers are provided with instructional videos that provide specific steps for how to best respond to student questions and comments that arise during the program. Teachers are also provided with step-by-step instructions for how to manage student mental health concerns so that they are confident in their ability to respond in a crisis.

Helping students engage
in mental health

For some students, talking about their feelings will come easily, but for others it may be more difficult. In this program, teachers are walked through specific strategies to help their students engage in the content, and are provided with a greater understanding of how to effectively reach all of their students.

Easy preparation

Teachers are provided with printable worksheets prior to each lesson which contain all the information they will need, as well as suggestions and tips for running the lesson. There is also a two-minute audio recording accompanying each lesson, which provides teachers with a brief overview of the key learning outcomes.
"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."

Engaging Lesson Topics that map onto core curriculum

Lesson 1: Using Our Words

Lesson 2: Repairing & Apologizing

Lesson 3: Dealing With “No”

Lesson 4: Bringing The Smile Back

Lesson 5: Supporting Others With Feelings

Lesson 1: Noticing Anger & Happiness

Lesson 2: What Do We Do With Negative Thoughts?

Lesson 3: Helping Our Friends With Their Thoughts

Lesson 4: Never Give Up

Lesson 1: What Is Friendship?

Lesson 2: How I Impact My Friends

Lesson 3: Making Better Choices

Lesson 4: Remaining Calm Through Struggle

Lesson 1: Noticing Our Feelings

Lesson 2: It’s Not Your Fault

Lesson 3: STOP Bullying

Lesson 4: Helping With Feelings

Lesson 1: Knowing When Things Are Not OK

Lesson 2: Listen To Your Feelings

Lesson 3: Practice Saying NO

Lesson 4: NO, GO, TELL

Lesson 1: Noticing My Feelings

Lesson 2: Deep Breathing

Lesson 1: Using Our Words

Lesson 2: Repairing & Apologizing

Lesson 3: Dealing With “No”

Lesson 4: Bringing The Smile Back

Lesson 5: Supporting Others With Feelings

Lesson 1: Noticing Anger & Happiness

Lesson 2: What Do We Do With Negative Thoughts?

Lesson 3: Helping Our Friends With Their Thoughts

Lesson 4: Never Give Up

Lesson 1: What Is Friendship?

Lesson 2: How I Impact My Friends

Lesson 3: Making Better Choices

Lesson 4: Remaining Calm Through Struggle

Lesson 1: Noticing Our Feelings

Lesson 2: It’s Not Your Fault

Lesson 3: STOP Bullying

Lesson 4: Helping With Feelings

Lesson 1: Knowing When Things Are Not OK

Lesson 2: Listen To Your Feelings

Lesson 3: Practice Saying NO

Lesson 4: NO, GO, TELL

Lesson 1: Getting To Know My Feelings

Lesson 1: Thinking Positive Thoughts

Lesson 2: Encouragement For Difficult Tasks

Lesson 3: Helping Our Worries

Lesson 1: Roles & Responsibilities

Lesson 2: Managing Big Reactions

Lesson 3: Making Helpful Choices

Lesson 4: Voicing My Needs

Lesson 1: Knowing When Things Are Not OK

Lesson 2: Listen To Your Feelings

Lesson 3: Practice Saying NO

Lesson 4: NO, GO, TELL

Lesson 1: Likes & Dislikes

Lesson 2: Asking Nicely

Lesson 3: Taking Space

Lesson 4: Stopping The Cycle

Lesson 1: Reflecting On My Actions

Lesson 2: Speaking Clearly

Lesson 3: Apologies

Lesson 4: Setting Boundaries

Lesson 5: Noticing Positive Friendship Qualities

Lesson 1: What Makes Up a Family?

Lesson 2: NO, GO, TELL

Lesson 3: Dumping Our Feelings

Lesson 4: Helping The Worries Leave Our Bodies

Lesson 1: Making Friends

Lesson 2: Bullying

Lesson 3: Expressing My Feelings

Lesson 4: Boundaries For Positive Interaction

Lesson 1: The Skill Of “Walking Away”

Lesson 2: Soothing Our Anger

Lesson 3: What To Do When Things Are Hard

Lesson 4: The Power To Change Things

Lesson 1: Accepting Differences

Lesson 2: Calming Our Worries

Lesson 3: Understanding My Emotions

Lesson 4: Coping Strategies

Lesson 5: Support & Inclusivity

Lesson 6: Learning From Each Other

Lesson 1: Talking About Our Worries

Lesson 2: BIG Worries

Lesson 3: Dealing With Grief & Loss

Lesson 4: Changing Our Thoughts

Lesson 1: Friendship Challenges

Lesson 2: Being A Good Listener

Lesson 3: Setting Boundaries

Lesson 4: Talking About Mental Health

Lesson 1: Expressing Our True Feelings

Lesson 2: Perspective Taking

Lesson 3: Questioning For Clarity

Lesson 1: Worrying & Self-Doubt

Lesson 2: Coping With The Feelings of Others

Lesson 3: What Makes Us Feel Good?

Lesson 4: Social Media & Self-Doubt

Lesson 1: Equal… And Different

Lesson 2: Noticing Healthy & Unhealthy Relationships

Lesson 3: NO, GO, TELL

Lesson 1: Bullying: Definition & Types

Lesson 2: Unhelpful Thought Patterns of Reaction

Lesson 3: Using Empathy & Independent Thinking

Lesson 4: Setting Healthy Boundaries with Peers

Lesson 1: Really, Really Hard Things

Lesson 2: It’s Not Your Fault

Lesson 3: Building Resilience

Lesson 1: Understanding & Soothing Our Worries

Lesson 2: Physical Reactions To Stress

Lesson 3: Cycles of Reaction

Lesson 4: Things We Can & Can’t Control

Lesson 1: Exploring Uniqueness

Lesson 2: Understanding Bullying & Forming Positive Connections

Lesson 3: Supporting Ourselves

Lesson 4: STOP Bullying

Lesson 5: Addictive Patterns

Lesson 1: Managing Anger

Lesson 2: Dealing With Mixed Emotions

Lesson 3: Family Violence

Lesson 4: Common Struggles

Lesson 1: Goal-Setting & Perseverance

Lesson 2: Negative Thought Traps

Lesson 3: Anxious Patterns

Lesson 4: Social Media & Motivation

Lesson 5: Creating A Personal Self-Care Plan

Lesson 1: Dealing With A Major Loss

Lesson 2: Managing Sudden Changes

Lesson 3: Dealing With Grief

Lesson 4: Supporting Myself

Lesson 1: When Friendship Is Challenging

Lesson 2: Negative Self-Talk

Lesson 3: Making New Friends

Lesson 4: Positive Friendships (Online & IRL)

Lesson 1: Recognizing Stereotypes & Setting Boundaries

Lesson 2: Negative & Positive Self-Talk

Lesson 3: Asking For Help & Giving Support

Lesson 4: Building Self-Esteem

Lesson 1: Taking Care Of Our Feelings

Lesson 2: Anxiety: Fight/Flight/Freeze/Please

Lesson 3: Breaking Anxious Habits

Lesson 4: Raising Awareness For Others

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: Getting Help When People Cross The Line

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: Understanding Bullying

Lesson 2: Setting Boundaries

Lesson 3: Being Accountable For Creating Change

Lesson 1: Exploring Privileges

Lesson 2: The Impacts of Trauma

Lesson 3: Fight, Flight, Freeze

Lesson 4: Raising Awareness About Mental Health

Lesson 1: Empathy & Listening Skills

Lesson 2: Recognizing Harm & Understanding Angry Reactions

Lesson 3: Normalizing Feelings & Practicing Self-Soothing

Lesson 4: Volunteering & Supporting Others

Lesson 1: BIG Reactions

Lesson 2: My Own Values, My Own Future

Lesson 3: Letting Go Of “Perfection”

Lesson 4: Being “Mindful”

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 Expectations of Others

Lesson 3: Online Influences & Gender Norms

Lesson 4: Parties, Consent & Substances

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: Speaking About Worries

Lesson 2: Unhealthy Friendships & Peer Pressure

Lesson 3: Navigating Stressors At Home & School

Lesson 4: Embracing Change & 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

Be a leader in mental
health education

With separate programs for K-12, Open Parachute can run in your school district for years to come.
and get access
to a free trial!
Teacher Stress Management Toolkit

Teacher Stress Management Toolkit™ for School Leaders. Improve the
well-being of your staff so they can better support your students!