CALM Computer Assisted Learning for the Mind

CALM is a web based project, collaboratively developed at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, by Dr Fernando with GP Dr Fiona Moir and psychiatrist Dr Shailesh Kumar, an expert on burn out, with assistance from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences Learning Technology Unit and the University’s Centre for Academic Development.

I thought I would bring to our team's attention as a wonderful, allbeit limited, tool for self-help online. It certainly could be useful for family and members alike regardless of time of day or location so long as they have an internet connection.

Copy of the Press Release follows:

Learn how to be happy

Press Release: University of Auckland
14 January 2009

University students will be taught how to be happy through a new website. The CALM (Computer Assisted Learning for the Mind) website focuses on positive psychology, the science of looking at what makes people truly happy. Students will be able to download audiofiles giving specific techniques to manage three sources of long lasting happiness – mental resilience, healthy relationships and finding meaning in life.

“There is an ongoing myth that happiness or life satisfaction can be achieved by accumulating wealth and status,” says Dr Antonio Fernando of The University of Auckland’s Department of Psychological Medicine.

“However, research over the past 20 years shows otherwise. Instead, true, long lasting happiness is a mental state that can be cultivated, and this is what this website will help our students to achieve.”

The website was developed by Dr Fernando with GP Dr Fiona Moir and psychiatrist Dr Shailesh Kumar, an expert on burn out, with assistance from the Faculty of Medical and Health Science Learning Technology Unit and the University’s Centre for Academic Development.

The website, initially offered to students in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, is publicly available at http://www.calm.auckland.ac.nz./

I wonder how hard it would be for us to collaborate with the other communities to design some interactive piece like this? There are no end of resources available that are no cost, just the work to ensure copyright is respected. We could of course have it from this broad scope and also some elements specifically tailored to military life stressors.

Rebecca

Collaboration

Hello All this is my first attempt at this blog thing, so bear with me. My concern is we are still working in a Vacuum. Recently I attended the ISTSS (International Studies for Traumatic Stress society) and while at this event I ran into fellow Canadians who were very interested in a seminar which presented the Sesame Street Videos dealing with military families and deployment stress. This resource was new to them. I am aware that these videos have been used in Western Canada for at least 2 years. My question is how to do we share all the great initiatives and lessons learned that we already have? Is standardization the answer? Is there the possibility to have a national coordinator who can ensure that people are not repeating mistakes across the country and the great activities that are working could be shared without us going to the source five times and paying copy right fees over and over again? My thoughts are with a national coordinator or coordination cell we can maintain the local, grassroots initiatives that work well while expanding so mistakes are not repeated and resources are shared more readily. Perhaps that is what DFMS is doing, then great my suggestion is it needs to expanded and formalized. This would also lead to accountability so locations are not repeating mistakes that may have already been learned by a different area. (I am not sure if that makes sense).....Caveat is that this is my first blog attempt. Take care all Tiffany.

Military Child Education Coalition

Hi everyone Hope all is well. I wanted to share some info with you that I think will be very helpful for us. It is from Texas. Program called The Military Child Education Coalition's Initiative, Living in the New Normal: Supporting Children Through Trauam and Loss. This org. provides PD and resources. We should consider having someone come up or go down ther for a training session. The contact info I have is Jennifer Kirkpatrik, phone 254-953-1923, fax 254-953-1925,e-mail, jennifer.kirkpatrick2militarychild.org I hope you all have a great Christmas and I look forward to seeing you in the year year. I'm at work until Dec19, back Jan5.
December 9, 2008 9:12 AM

MFRCs for spouses with post-secondary?

sebst said...
Recently, I was speaking with a friend who is having a hard time with her situation. Her husband and their family have been posted 4times in the last 5 years. This has created a lot of stress. I told her about this group and she mentioned something she feels would be very helpful. It is felt that MFRCs programs are not for spouses with post-secondary educations. If MFRCs offered programs for these spouses, it would improve their situations, by providing them support.
November 17, 2008 8:18 AM

Mental Health AC-WG BLOG

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