Open Dialogue in Schools and Communities (ODiSC)

ODiSC is a collaboration between healthcare practitioners from the NHS involved in the ODDESSI trial, researchers based in the UK and health, social care and education practitioners who are interested in the potential of Open Dialogue to be used in school settings and beyond.

Our 1 hour introduction to Open Dialogue in Schools and Communities took place on Thursday 27th November and can be watched via our YouTube channel here.

Open Dialogue is a highly collaborative and person-centred approach to mental health care. First developed in Northern Finland in the 1980s, the emphasis on dialogue and respectful exchange of multiple viewpoints within a person’s family and social network and shared decision-making offers an empowering way to support individuals experiencing mental health distress.

For those in education and allied services, the principles of Open Dialogue offer a powerful framework for fostering student agency and giving voice to young people, especially when navigating mental health challenges. Schools, allied services and communities can come together through an approach which values diverse perspectives and actively builds trust, especially in marginalised communities.

More information about the implementation of Open Dialogue within a school setting can be found here.

The article in the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy examining parents’ perspectives on Open Dialogue within a school context is available below:

Reputation and Responsibility: A Qualitative Investigation of Parents’ Experiences of Open Dialogue
School Meetings
Ben Ong | Andrea McCloughen | Sarah Farrell‐Whelan | Niels Buus

A short video from Sarah Farrell-Whelan, sharing Korowal School’s journey in implementing Open Dialogue, is available on our YouTube channel.

Register your interest in ODiSC using the form below, or via email: MHtimeforactionODiSC@gmail.com