Optimizing Wellness through Literature (OWL)

The Optimizing Wellness through Literacy (OWL) project aims to increase mental health literacy and coping skills in youth.  It does so by teaching youth Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) skills. The author of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling, has publicly spoken about her struggles with depression, has credited CBT with helping her overcome it, and has stated that she patterned the dementor characters in the third book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, on her experience of depression. Readers follow Harry’s journey, learn along with him what it means to become depressed and, crucially, understand how he uses CBT skills to find a path to resilience.

While the curriculum can likely be understood by anyone over the age of about 12 years old, we suggest that the optimal time to try it is in middle school (grades 7 and 8) as that matches readers’ ages with Harry’s age in the book (13 years old) to maximize identification with the character.