The Impossible Question of Living Well - A Conversation with Dr. Helen Street
Nov 17, 2024
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Dr. Helen Street, a seasoned social psychologist and educator, champions holistic well-being in education. She emphasizes that living well isn't about quick happiness fixes but understanding the importance of context. Dr. Street critiques traditional views, advocating for educational frameworks that prioritize emotional needs, social connections, and resilience. She also highlights the role of unanswerable questions in learning and the necessity of psychological safety for fostering deeper exploration. Join her as she navigates risks, equity, and the transformative power of storytelling in schools.
Context greatly affects well-being, indicating that educational institutions must prioritize the environments in which students learn and grow.
Personal narratives play a crucial role in unpacking complex issues like identity and resilience, advocating for a deeper understanding of mental health beyond conventional self-help solutions.
Deep dives
The Impact of Context on Well-Being
Context significantly influences well-being, a concept emphasized throughout the discussion. The environment in which individuals find themselves can uplift or hinder their mental state, which often goes underestimated. The conversation reveals that instead of offering simple solutions, educational institutions should recognize the importance of context in enhancing students' experiences. By understanding how various settings affect individuals, we can better support their mental health and social connections in educational environments.
The Power of Personal Narrative
The discussion highlights the significance of personal stories in understanding complex topics like identity and resilience. The speaker's recent book combines personal anecdotes with broader philosophical insights to illustrate these themes, advocating for a shift away from straightforward self-help guides. By sharing multifaceted stories, readers gain a deeper understanding of mental health that acknowledges vulnerability rather than presenting an idealized view. This narrative approach fosters a connection with readers, encouraging them to engage with the complexities of their own lives.
Redefining Success in Education
Success in education should not solely focus on academic outcomes but encompass emotional and social development as well. The conversation suggests that schools need to redefine what it means to succeed, emphasizing human development over mere knowledge acquisition. Recognizing that mental health and emotional well-being are critical to effective learning reinforces the idea that communities are built through relationships and social engagement. This holistic approach urges educators to rethink their goals and incorporate practices that better support students' overall growth.
Navigating Change in Educational Systems
The dialogue addresses the challenges associated with implementing change in educational practices, emphasizing the need for patience and understanding. Many educators resist change due to their personal identities being closely tied to traditional practices, making the shift difficult. It is essential to create a supportive environment where staff feel empowered to express their concerns and navigate the complexities of change. By promoting cohesive communication and collaboration among educators, schools can build a strong foundation for meaningful transformation.
“Perhaps the secret of living well is not in having all the answers but in pursuing unanswerable questions in good company.” This is a quote from the paediatrician, Rachel Naomi Remen, that my guest this week quotes in her fantastic new book The Impossible Question of Living Well: How do we hold on to what matters, while also knowing how to let go? Dr Helen Street has been banging the drum that living well should be a priority of educational institutions for years, but more importantly, that this is not a question of individual ‘hacks to happiness’ as she talks about in this episode, but a fundamental rethinking of how much context plays a role in enabling or preventing possibilities for living well. It’s Helen’s second time on the podcast and I was so happy to be able to chat to her again about her . She is a social psychologist and educator and has worked extensively with schools around the world since 1999. She holds a position as Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia, Graduate School of Education as well as adjunct research consultant for the health department of Western Australia’s Centre for Clinical Interventions. Helen is the Founder and Co-Chair of the Positive Schools Initiative (PSI). Since it s launch in 2008, the Positive Schools Initiative has worked with over 26,000 educators from over 6000 schools and colleges; from around Australia and 15 other countries. Positive Schools Initiative is focused takes an evidence-based systems approach to building Contextual Wellbeing, positive mental health and resilience in school staff, parents and young people.