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