TEACHING LIFE SKILLS TODAY

To Prevent the Mental Health Problems of Tomorrow

Built for ages 11–14 and based on the award-winning book Mastering Your Mind, this first-of-its-kind preventative mental health and life skills programme was created by psychotherapist and JTeen founder Yaakov Barr.

The programme teaches the practical skills that repeatedly emerge at the heart of many of the challenges facing young people today- confidence, resilience, emotional awareness, healthy relationships, coping skills, and healthier thinking patterns.

Combining evidence-based psychology with engaging classroom learning, Mastering Your Mind gives schools a structured way to teach the life skills many students are never formally taught, but will draw upon for the rest of their lives.

Everything Teachers Need to Bring the Life Hacks to Life

A complete, ready-to-teach programme, including:

3 student workbooks covering 13 Life Hacks
Comprehensive teacher notes for each lesson
Classroom PowerPoint presentations
Activities, quizzes and audio stories
Short teacher training videos
Parent resources to reinforce home learning

Designed to make delivery straightforward for teachers, while giving pupils practical skills they'll use long after the lessons have finished.

For Schools and Educators

Explore sample materials on the Resources page or learn more about bringing the programme into your school or camp. Based on the award-winning book Mastering Your Mind by Yaakov Barr.

Hack 1 - Good Friendships

Hack 2 – Mood Boosting

Hack 3 – Overcoming Stress

Hack 4 - Facing Problems and Life Challenges

Hack 5 –Taming Your Anger

Hack 6 – Balance

Hack 7 – I.C.B.B.

Hack 8 – Good Night’s Sleep

Hack 9 – Speaking Up
and Speaking Out

Hack 10 – Breaking Bad Habits

Hack 11 - Me, Myself and I

Hack 12 - Coping With Feelings & Thoughts

Hack 13 - Making Change Happen

About Yaakov

Yaakov Barr is a psychotherapist, educator, and creator of the Mastering Your Mind wellbeing programme. With over two decades of experience, he specialises in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and preventative wellbeing work with young people and schools.

He is also the co-founder and CEO of JTeen, supporting young people through its support line, workshops, and training programmes. He has worked extensively with schools, helping them deliver practical, structured approaches to student wellbeing.

His work focuses on translating proven psychological approaches into clear, age-appropriate tools that can be used in real classroom settings.

He is also the author of the award-winning book Mastering Your Mind, which forms the foundation of the programme.

Contact

If you would like to bring the Mastering Your Mind programme into your school or camp, or find out more about how it works, please get in touch. Whether you are a school leader, educator, or organisation, we would be happy to discuss your setting and how the programme can be adapted to suit your needs. Please complete the form below and we will get back to you.

Testimonials

Rabbi Dr. Akiva Tatz
International lecturer and noted author

“Mastering Your Mind is a great book: highly readable, a lot of fun, packed with amazingly good advice, and very practical.”

Rabbi Shraga Feivel Zimmerman
Federation Rov & Av Beis Din

"The importance of being of sound mind and countenance cannot be overemphasised. For this reason, I am particularly grateful to Yaakov for this initiative"

Rhena Branch
CBT therapist, international author and lecturer

“This is a great book! Very accessible, light-hearted, and full of wisdom. Yaakov Barr offers scientifically proven, powerful CBT interventions and tailors them to suit the young Jewish adult reader. ”

Rabbi Shimon Russell Psychotherapist and renowned expert on parenting

“Yaakov Barr has written a comprehensive book rich with understanding and helpful supportive techniques, relevant to their challenges. . ”

John Cameron OBE, (d, Aug 2023)
Ex head of NSPCC, Childline & JTeen Patron

“A wonderful book providing a vital resource for parents to help them simplify what is becoming an ever more complex role- supporting their teen on life’s journey. Congratulations on a very successful project.”

Dan Levy
Editor of the Jewish Tribune

“I wish you had been around when I was a teen. How different life might have been armed with these hacks! How luck is this generation!”

Jason Marantz
Director of Education for the Borough of Hackney

“Mastering Your Mind represents a significant step forward in education, giving schools a practical way to teach the life skills that are just as essential as academic achievement.”