Soma Skills Youth Program

A group work program exploring self-regulation and connection for those aged 13-25 years

Despite increased connectivity through media and technology, young people today face heightened loneliness, isolation, and risks of mental health issues and physical inactivity. 

Co-designed with young people, Soma Skills integrates mindfulness and movement-based practices, psychoeducation and groupwork — to support young people with strategies for self-regulation, stress-relief and social connection.

We are grateful to the youths and partner organisation staff at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Foundation House, the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Melbourne City Mission, the YWCA, STREAT and many others for informing the design of this program.

Our Program Model

Soma Skills typically runs as an 8-12 week course with a maximum capacity of 12 children. Each session is 60 minutes, broken into core segments of connection, movement, mindfulness, play and rest.

Each week, we cover a different theme:

  • Week 1  : arriving together

  • Week 2 : resourcing and safety

  • Week 3 : curiosity and compassion

  • Week 4 : stress relief practices

  • Week 5 : balancing and regulating

  • Week 6 : boundaries and consent

  • Week 7 : support for sleep

  • Week 8 : acknowledging your efforts


Please note: Child safety legislation mandates there are multiple adults in the room with children under the age of 18 years — and so Soma Play is co-facilitated with partner organisation staff. In the instance that partner organisation staff are not able to be in the room, Soma Play can be co-facilitated by two Collective Being facilitators.

What Young People Say

  • "I learnt many things about how to regulate my temper and my breathing when I’m stressed."

  • "Sometimes I do the breathing exercises when I am stressed out, it helps me calm my emotions.”

  • “I think it’s a great program for young girls like us to help with our emotions.”

Interested in this Program?

Complete our enquiry form to explore bringing Soma Skills to your community.

FAQs

  • Yes, depending on the site. We can discuss options and tailor the program to meet your needs and timeline.

  • We have delivered Soma Skills for young women from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds at Mooroolbark College with the Migrant Information Centre, the Centre for Multicultural Youth and the River Nile School.

    With Transgender Victoria, we delivered Soma Skills for trans and gender-diverse young people.

  • Research shows that body-based mindfulness practices, like those used in Soma Skills, have the following benefits for young people:

    • Reduced anxiety, depression, and somatic distress in adolescents, along with improving self-esteem and sleep quality¹

    • Significant positive effects on executive functioning, attention, depression, anxiety/stress, and negative behaviours²

    For young people who have experienced trauma, body-based mindfulness can provide a safer way to reconnect with their bodies and minds, particularly for those resistant to traditional talk therapies and mindfulness interventions³.

    Body-based mindfulness practices have also been shown to enhance interoceptive awareness and build skills for regulating physiological arousal, supporting emotional regulation and resilience⁴.

    ¹  Biegel et al., 2009

    ²  Dunning et al., 2018

    ³ Emerson et al., 2009

    ⁴ Warner et al., 2014

  • Please email our Programs Coordinator Alexia directly at alexia@collectivebeing.org

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