- Tier: Tier 1: Positive mental health promotion
- Category of intervention: Mental health literacy
- Strength of evidence: Level 4: Established evidence for program (supported by quality research evidence)
- Geographic location: Statewide
Program description
Bio-Dash is a wellbeing and optimal performance program for secondary school students that aims to make learning about wellbeing engaging, tangible and personalised. Developed for and with school students and staff, the program has been shown to improve wellbeing and reduce anxiety.
Bio-Dash supports a range of aspects of mental health including:
- social and emotional learning (through emotion regulation, gratitude and compassion)
- mental focus (through mindfulness and specific focusing activities)
- cognitive and physiological regulation (through smart breathing and imagery techniques).
Bio-Dash covers 6 themes:
- Smart breathing
- Flexible emojis
- Max the good stuff
- Zoning in
- 7D imagery
- Self-coach.
Modules include teacher-led activities that demonstrate the mind-body connection. Students are encouraged to develop personalised wellbeing plans that they can apply in academic, social, sport and performing arts contexts. Strategies selected for Bio-Dash are supported by evidence from wellbeing science, psychology and the sport and health sciences. All strategies are youth-friendly.
If you would like a more detailed look at Bio-Dash, please watch the following video: Overview of the Bio-Dash Program
Intended outcomes
- Personalised wellbeing plan for students
- Greater awareness of how specific wellbeing strategies impact the mind and body
- Increased use of wellbeing strategies
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Improved focus and wellbeing
- Shared wellbeing education spaces and experiences
Program details
| Target audience | Secondary school students – all |
|---|---|
| Program provider | University of Melbourne |
| Delivery mode | Combination of face-to-face and online |
Implementation considerations
- Target population: Secondary school students, especially Years 7–10.
- Program adaptability: The program will be contextualised for local needs – with schools able to select specific modules that focus on content that meet student needs.
- Staffing: Backfilling will most likely not be necessary given the modules are designed to complement exist curricula and are bite-sized so can be integrated into existing lessons.
- Training requirements: No specialist knowledge is required to deliver the Bio-Dash program as expert content is provided via the video modules. A Facilitator’s Guide and a brief online training video are included to make the program delivery smooth and simple.
- Factors to consider: Bio-Dash can be delivered at a pace that suits schools with a recommended delivery time over a school year to enable time for student reflection and practice. Whole school initiatives are also recommended, and the resources provided will promote a whole school approach. The time commitment can be flexible and in accordance with the school needs, curricula and time schedule. Bio-Dash modules can be presented individually or alongside school curriculum. The whole program can be delivered via a recommended sequence or specific modules can be selected based on school needs and preferences.
- Bio-Dash aligns with the educational priorities of the Victorian Curriculum by supporting the Health and Physical Education and Personal and Social Capability curriculum through its focus on emotional regulation and physiological awareness, to help students better manage stress, and their overall wellbeing. This means it can be incorporated within specific subjects to meet these priorities and key curriculum outcomes in health, personal development, and biological sciences.
- Australian context: The program has been developed and applied in Australia. Bio-Dash is mapped to the Australian and Victorian curricula and can be implemented in metro, regional and rural areas.
Cost
Minimum cost
$5,000+
Detailed cost
The total Bio-Dash program includes a series of 35 digitised modules across 6 themes, instructional videos and resources (including guided visuals and an electronic dashboard).
The Bio-Dash program costs $4,990 including GST. This can be made available for up to 100 students (additional students beyond 100 incur additional per student cost) and includes 500 biodots and 2 staff logins.
Additional logins incur extra cost and additional biodots can be purchased separately.
If in-person delivery and/or travel is required, this will be discussed and costed separately.
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