"In Aotearoa New Zealand, where I live, the numbers paint a stark picture. Unicef ranks us lowest among 36 OECD and EU countries in child mental wellbeing. High levels of bullying and anxiety among young people are said to compound this picture, contributing to depression, school avoidance and isolation. Global reports tell a similar story, with some economists describing youth happiness in decline worldwide ."
"Te whare tapa wha, a Maori framework for wellbeing, describes life as a house supported by four walls: physical, mental, social and spiritual. Schools tend diligently to the first three. But taha wairua the spiritual foundation is often treated as incompatible with secular education. Yet according to the framework, it is precisely this dimension that gives coherence to the others: wairua is the breath of life and the foundation of identity, belonging and meaning. Without it, the house leans."
"Spiritual education does not have to be religious instruction or proselytising. It can begin with a premise found across traditions: every child is a noble soul with spiritual faculties that should be developed. Most wellbeing programs focus on an individual's emotional regulation. Important, yes but spiritual education reaches deeper. It transforms character, strengthens moral agency and orients children towards contributing to the wellbeing of others."
Child mental wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand is poor relative to OECD and EU peers, with high bullying, anxiety, depression, school avoidance and isolation among young people. The Maori wellbeing model Te whare tapa wha frames life as a house with physical, mental, social and spiritual walls; spiritual foundation (taha wairua) provides coherence, identity, belonging and meaning. Schools address physical, mental and social needs but often neglect spiritual development as incompatible with secular education. Spiritual education can be non-religious, cultivating a child's innate spiritual faculties, transforming character, strengthening moral agency and orienting children toward contributing to others' wellbeing.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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