Summary
Transformative Life Skills & Dynamic Mindfulness, offered by the Niroga Institute, provides a lesson-based approach to SEL, focused on mindfulness. It includes programming for grades 6-12 and demonstrates evidence of effectiveness in grades 6 and 9. Translated materials for Transformative Life Skills are offered in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, French, Inuktitut.
Strategies supporting educational equity (CASEL)
Not available at this time.
Implementation
Below are key implementation details for this program. These specifications help determine if the program is a good fit for your school or organization.
Grade(s)
Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
Setting
Classroom, Schoolwide, Home
Language
English, Spanish, Additional Languages
Cost
For additional information please contact the provider
# Lessons
For additional information please contact the provider
Program Design
Tier 1 (Universal)
Technology Requirements
For additional information please contact the provider
Staffing Requirements
For additional information please contact the provider
Professional Development
Onsite In-Person, Virtual, Offsite
Outcomes
Advocate for reducing stigma associated with emotional and mental and behavioral health
Compare & contrast emotional, mental-behavioral illness, mental well-being and concurrent disorders
Decreased suicidal behavior
Describe how self-harm or suicide impacts other people
Describe laws related to minors accessing mental health care
Explain how to help someone who is thinking about attempting suicide
Identify school and community resources that can help a person with emotional, mental and behavioral health concerns
Improved Academic Performance
Improved attitude/behavior related to suicide
Improved identification of individuals at-risk for suicide
Improved Identity Development/ Agency
Improved Prosocial Behavior
Improved School Climate
Improved School Connectedness
Improved SEL Skills and Attitudes
Improved Teaching Practices
Increased help-seeking behavior
Reduced Emotional Distress
Reduced Problem Behavior
Evidence of Effectiveness
Results from a randomized controlled trial published in 2017 supported the effectiveness of Transformative Life Skills for middle school students. This evaluation was conducted on a sample of 159 grade 6 and 9 students enrolled in a high poverty, urban school in the U.S. West region (54% Hispanic/Latinx, 22% multi-racial, 17% Black/African). This evaluation found that students who participated in the program self-reported higher school engagement, cognitive restructuring, positive thinking, emotion regulation, and more positive coping skills compared to students in the control group (controlling for outcome pretest and student demographic characteristics).
Published Studies
Refer to the provided CASEL for the most up-to-date published studies.
Frank, J. L., Kohler, K., Peal, A., & Bose, B. (2017). Effectiveness of a School-Based Yoga Program on Adolescent Mental Health and School Performance: Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial. Mindfulness, 8, 544-553.
Frank, J. L., Bose, B., & Schrobenhauser-Clonan, A. (2014). Effectiveness of a School-Based Yoga Program on Adolescent Mental Health, Stress Coping Strategies, and Attitudes Toward Violence: Findings From a High-Risk Sample. Journal of Applied School Psychology, 30(1), 29-49.