“The idea of The OTR Academy emerged out of our extensive experience over nearly 13 years working with youths, parents, families and the community in advancing their mental wellness. This experience informed us that a strong foundation in mental health and wellbeing is rooted in good self-care habits that are holistic and transformative — where it then ripples outwards — expanding and extending into an interconnected ecosystem of community-powered model of care involving family, friends, teachers, and peers. We call this ecosystem the Circle-of-Care. Individuals who choose to be Wellbeing Champions play a crucial role— you are at the heart of the concentric layers of this interconnected community-led mental healthcare ecosystem.
The Academy offers training and certifications to develop individuals on the fundamentals of mental health, good self-care habits and life coping skills, active listening and empathic communication skills, the science of wellbeing — plus counselling, coaching and mentoring fundamentals for those who wish to serve not only as champions of their own wellbeing also as mentors and guides for the wellbeing of those around them. You are our Wellbeing Mentors. The Academy will also provide platforms of practice and deployment so that there is a continuing and ongoing opportunity to develop and hone your skills.
Our mission at the OTR Academy is to create an interconnected community-powered model of mental health care by empowering a community of 10,000 such wellbeing practitioners — parents, teachers, friends, peers — at home, in the school, out in the community, at the workplace — aligning them in the ecosystem that is the Circle-of-Care.
The journey in mental wellbeing begins with you, the moment you decide to take charge of your own wellbeing. And as a Wellbeing Champion and Wellbeing Mentor,
you are at the heart of your own wellbeing circle and in a pole position to provide support for the wellbeing of your loved ones and those in your immediate network. We are reimagining and reinventing community mental health care as we know it.
Come join us for the ride!"
- Yen-Lu & Yee Ling Chow, co-founders Over-The-Rainbow
Prerequisites:
- Minimum 2-3 years professional work experience; minimum 21 years of age.
Requirements:
- Complete Foundation Training: OTR Orientation, Mental Health 101, Self-Care 101;
- Complete Empathetic Communication Training (or equivalent);
- Complete The Science of Wellbeing Fundamentals (or equivalent);
- Complete 10 Wellbeing Champion practicum sessions (via the platforms of practice).
Platforms of Practice: OTR Listens, OTR Wellbeing Champion Workshops & Festivals,Think x Rainbow Parental Support-Line / Parenting Circle
Certificate of Achievement: issued upon completion of the course.
Fees: $136 (Introductory Offer, Highly Subsidized)
Change inside-out: Deeply personal. Greatly impactful.
Our Community
Our extensive experience over the past 13 years working with youths, parents, families and the community in advancing their mental wellness informs us that a strong foundation in mental health and wellbeing is rooted in good self-care habits that are holistic and transformative, from where we can cultivate to grow an interconnected community-based model of care that includes family, friends, parents, teachers, peers etc. Individuals who choose to be Wellbeing Champions play a crucial role — you are at the heart of the concentric layers of the care ecosystem we call the Circle-of-Care .
The OTR Academy equips individuals to be Wellbeing Champions, with foundational skills in self-care, empathetic communication, resilience-building, and positive psychology. Through advanced course work and certification as Wellbeing Mentors, participants will gain deeper insights and practical strategies in positive mental health and wellbeing — with the skills and capacity to support others as well.
At the Academy, we offer continuous opportunities for skills development and community support via impactful initiatives such as
OTR Listens
(text-based chat-line for emotional support),
Wellbeing Champion workshops & festivals,
community and school outreach, accessible youth counseling, and Parental Support-Line for caregivers navigating their children’s mental health challenges.
We are dedicated to continually expanding the opportunities for wellbeing practitioners to upgrade their
skills
and
practices
—both in the community and at the workplace—through ongoing initiatives and new partnerships.
1. Individuals who are looking to take charge of their own mental wellbeing.
2. Educators & parents looking to better support their children to navigate and improve their mental wellbeing.
3. Corporate leaders looking to enhance staff wellbeing and cultivate wellbeing in their organizations.
4. Community leaders looking to raise awareness and bring more wellbeing to their communities.
