News

Pause Breathe Smile, a homegrown mind health programme for tamariki throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, is continuing to deliver a positive impact, as shown by the latest findings from an independent evaluation of the programme.

For a third year, the research has found teachers who have trained in and delivered the Pause Breathe Smile programme, continue to report improvements in student wellbeing, behaviours, and attitudes.

Key results

• Teachers were asked to rate the wellbeing, behaviours and characteristics of students before and after implementing the Pause Breathe Smile programme. One year after implementing the programme 21% of aggregate wellbeing scores had moved above the baseline average
• The measure of children ‘flourishing’ saw a 13% move above the baseline average by one year, while the measure of those ‘languishing’ saw a 10% decrease below the baseline average in the same period
• Increases in positive behaviours and characteristics among students were identified along with decreases in those considered negative. Children were significantly more self-motivated, perseverant, focused, and supportive after one year
• Teachers were more inclined to be satisfied or enjoy their work after delivering the Pause Breathe Smile programme.

Commenting on the findings, Sir Ashley Bloomfield, mind health ambassador for Pause Breathe Smile said, “It’s clear to see Pause Breathe Smile is positively impacting the wellbeing of tamariki across the motu.”

“Children demonstrated better resilience to adversity and had greater awareness of their emotions. Pro-social behaviours, like kindness and respect were improved, and children showed better regulation of their behaviours. They were also found to be calmer and more focused.”

“Learning how to practice mindfulness at an early age provides children with wellbeing skills they can use throughout their lifetime. Children can take these techniques forward into their teenage years and beyond by sharing them with their families,” says Bloomfield.

Southern Cross Healthcare fully funds Pause Breathe Smile so that primary and intermediate schools and kura nationwide can access the programme free of charge.

Chris White, CEO of Southern Cross Healthcare said, “The mental wellbeing of children is paramount, so it’s heartening to see the positive difference Pause Breathe Smile is making continue in this latest evaluation.”

“We are proud to fully fund Pause Breathe Smile so any primary and intermediate school can access this proven programme. Improving the mental health and wellbeing of tamariki, their teachers and whānau will benefit our communities for years to come.”

“Thanks to the dedication of the Pause Breathe Smile team, the programme has now been implemented in more than 500 schools across the motu and has reached over 150,000 students,” concludes White.

Some of the teachers/kaiako who deliver the Pause Breathe Smile programme said:

• “It is great to use for resetting kids. It is a great base to underpin other learning as it relates to so many different areas.”
• “I think Pause Breathe Smile is a really positive addition to our school culture and strategies for managing and regulating emotions and behaviours are evident.”
• “I really do think it’s a great programme with easy to apply strategies and practical ideas to use in the classroom that do not take too much time out of the daily routines.”
• “Pause Breathe Smile is an awesome programme for all kura in New Zealand. It has helped my tamariki so much with their emotions and forming good friendships.”

Research methodology

Teachers from schools enrolled in the Pause Breathe Smile programme were asked to describe the wellbeing, characteristics, and behaviours of children at their school. The survey has three parts – before training (baseline), four months after programme implementation and one year later.

Fieldwork was conducted between 9 February 2021 and 7 September 2024. Within that period, 3,648 teachers responded to the baseline survey, a further 1,422 responded to the four-month follow-up, and 570 responded to the one-year follow-up.

Pause Breathe Smile programme impact evaluation report

Southern Cross commissioned an independent evaluation to understand the effects of Pause Breathe Smile on school communities. This has been running since 2021. Surveys were analysed by Dr Reuben Rusk.

Dr Rusk has worked in wellbeing science since 2009. Having earned his PhD at the University of Melbourne, he is an Honorary Fellow of the Centre for Wellbeing Science where he teaches a Master of Applied Positive Psychology.