EYEYAH! Collaborates with Northlight School Teachers to Address Student Anxiety Through Design Thinking

EYEYAH! had the privilege of hosting teachers from Northlight School for a one-day work attachment focused on innovative ways to support students dealing with anxiety and stress. Together, they explored strategies to help students navigate challenges in school, life, and home environments using design thinking techniques.

During the session, the group tested EYEYAH!’s mental health literacy-focused game prototype. The interactive experience aims to help students better understand anxiety, identify situations that may trigger these feelings, and explore different coping mechanisms to manage them effectively.

Teachers learned how to apply design thinking techniques to better empathise with their students and the anxieties they may face. Using brainstorming methods, the teachers and EYEYAH! staff collaborated to develop creative solutions aimed at improving students’ experiences at Northlight. Through open discussions, the group crafted problem statements based on teachers’ observations and personal experiences, ensuring the solutions were both practical and student-centred.

A key element of the workshop was EYEYAH!’s advocacy for visual literacy. By encouraging careful observation, teachers can develop a deeper understanding of their students’ anxiety and identify ways to manage it more effectively. This approach empowers teachers to support students in meaningful, tailored ways while fostering greater empathy.

The teachers also discovered how to integrate design thinking into their curriculum, reigniting creative thought processes without judgment and fostering open communication. This collaboration underscores the potential of design thinking and visual literacy to empower both educators and students in addressing mental health challenges with empathy and creativity.