The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter COLLEGE CONNECTIONS
BUILDING RESILIENCE TOGETHER: THE LAKES' ONGOING COLLABORATION WITH MARIA RUBERTO
At The Lakes, our commitment to student wellbeing and resilience is exemplified through our ongoing collaboration with Maria Ruberto,
Resilience First Aid: A Proactive Approach
A key component of Maria's work is the Resilience First Aid (RFA) program, which she co - designed. RFA is a two - day certification program that teaches the neuroscience of resilience, focusing on six domains: Vision, Composure, Reasoning, Health, Tenacity, and Collaboration. The program provides participants with practical tools to build resilience in themselves and others, fostering a proactive approach to mental health. The Lakes staff have completed this training with Maria in 2025 and are utilising these approaches within classrooms.
founder and director of Salutegenics Psychology.
Maria is a psychologist and certified neuropsychotherapist with over 30 years of experience in education, clinical, and industry settings. Her work is grounded in the theory of Salutogenesis, focusing on building mental fitness and life - health by developing positive human resilience, including affective functioning and strengths - based skills.
The Power of the Physiological Sigh
A practical strategy Maria teaches is the 'Physiological Sigh' – a simple, scientifically backed breathing technique that can instantly reduce stress.
Integrating Neuroscience into Education
Maria's approach is anchored in neuroscience and brain function, framed by the science of optimism. She emphasises the importance of understanding the biological foundations of behaviour, highlighting how beliefs about stress can significantly impact health outcomes. Her work underscores the role of co - regulation and social connection in building resilience, particularly in young people whose prefrontal cortexes are still developing.
The technique involves:
1.
Taking a deep breath through the nose.
2.
Taking a second, smaller breath at the top of the first.
3.
Slowly exhaling through the mouth.
This technique helps regulate the nervous system, making it an accessible tool for students to manage anxiety and regain focus.
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