Course

Bounce back: How positive psychology can give a post-pandemic boost to your family’s wellbeing is an introductory guide to some of the latest evidence-based techniques from positive psychology that have proven benefits on wellbeing within the family.

This free introductory course is for anyone who is interested in learning more about practical ways to improve wellbeing, particularly whilst recovering from the effects of the pandemic. It is particularly useful for parents and carers interested in learning new ways to support their own and their children’s mental health and happiness.  

You are introduced to six key themes from positive psychology research. Two themes address positive approaches to your past (character strengths and gratitude), two address positive approaches to the present (savouring and kindness), and the last two themes (hope and meaning) explore how you can use positive psychology to reach your potential. For each theme you are invited to try out practical techniques to boost your own and your family’s wellbeing.

This course is free, and you are welcome to study it without enrolling. However, the course also gives you the opportunity to earn a digital badge in recognition of your learning. To collect the badge, you'll need to enrol. If you already have an Open University account, you need to sign in before you enrol. If you don’t have an account, it is easy to create one. Once you have signed in, return to this page and click on the 'Enrol' button above.

The course was developed by Claudine McFaul, a Staff Tutor at The Open University, Michelle Tytherleigh, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Chester and Ian Platt, a PhD Researcher, at the University of Bolton. 

Bounce Back is also affiliated with MedEquip4Kids, a UK based health & wellbeing charity for children. This course is provided for parents when delivering the Hummingbird Project, a programme of mental health workshops in schools.