Lesson Plan
Creating Your Toolkit
Students will build a personalized mental health toolkit to identify and select resources that support their well-being.
This lesson helps students recognize the significance of mental health and equips them with practical strategies to handle stress and emotions.
Audience
8th Grade Group
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Guided activity with interactive discussions and reflective exercises.
Prep
Preparation and Review
10 minutes
- Review all associated materials beforehand.
- Familiarize yourself with the Creating Your Toolkit lesson plan.
- Ensure digital access to the Tools for Mental Health (slide-deck) and other resources.
- Set up any required technology for displaying digital content.
Step 1
Introduction to Mental Health
10 minutes
- Begin with a brief discussion on what mental health means and why it is essential.
- Use the slide-deck Tools for Mental Health (slide-deck) to highlight key points.
- Encourage students to share any pre-existing thoughts about mental well-being.
Step 2
Toolkit Building Activity
30 minutes
- Guide students through the Creating Your Toolkit process.
- Distribute the Building a Personal Toolkit (project) handout to each student.
- Allow students to select tools/resources (like relaxation techniques or supportive contacts) that resonate with them.
- Circulate and assist students individually.
Step 3
Reflection and Sharing
10 minutes
- Facilitate a group discussion using Sharing and Reflecting (discussion).
- Ask students to share one new insight or tool they found valuable.
- Summarize key takeaways and address any remaining questions.
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Slide Deck
Tools for Mental Health
Welcome to your guide for building a personalized toolkit for mental well-being!
Introduce the session and greet the students. Explain that this slide deck will provide visuals to help them understand the importance of having a mental health toolkit. Highlight that the colors and visuals are chosen to be calming and engaging.
What is Mental Health?
Mental health involves how we think, feel, and behave. It impacts our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
Discuss the concept of mental health. Ask students what they understand by mental health and why it might be important. Encourage participation.
What is a Mental Health Toolkit?
A mental health toolkit is a collection of strategies and resources designed to help you manage stress, regulate emotions, and improve overall well-being.
Explain that a mental health toolkit is like a personal set of resources that can help when facing stress or difficult moments. Use visuals to emphasize variety and flexibility in tools.
Types of Tools for Your Toolkit
- Relaxation techniques (deep breathing, meditation)
- Supportive contacts (friends, family, counselors)
- Positive affirmations and thought logs
- Creative outlets (drawing, journaling)
Show slide with examples. Encourage students to think about which type of tool they might want to include in their toolkit. Mention that these tools can be personalized.
Building Your Own Toolkit
Now that we've explored various mental health tools, let's work on creating your personalized toolkit. Think about the tools that resonate with you.
Summarize the session, remind students that the next activity involves creating their own toolkit, and encourage questions.
Project Guide
Be Kind to Your Mind
Overview
In this activity, students will create a personalized mental health toolkit. They will identify and utilize resources to support their overall well-being and develop practical strategies to manage stress and emotions. This session is designed for 8th Grade students and runs for 60 minutes as part of a Tier 2 group support intervention.
Materials
- Creating Your Toolkit (lesson-plan)
- Tools for Mental Health (slide-deck)
- Building a Personal Toolkit (project)
- Sharing and Reflecting (discussion)
Color Scheme
The session employs a calming and supportive color scheme: #FFB6C1, #FFC1CC, #FFD3DA.
Session Flow
1. Introduction to Mental Health (10 minutes)
- Begin with an interactive discussion about what mental health means and why it is essential.
- Utilize the slide deck Tools for Mental Health (slide-deck) to introduce key concepts.
- Encourage students to share their thoughts and prior knowledge about mental well-being.
2. Toolkit Building Activity (30 minutes)
- Guide students through the process of creating their own mental health toolkit using the steps outlined in Creating Your Toolkit (lesson-plan).
- Distribute the worksheet from Building a Personal Toolkit (project).
- Encourage students to list and describe various tools they find valuable (such as relaxation techniques, supportive contacts, creative outlets, etc.).
- Allow space for creative expression and personalization as they determine why each tool is meaningful and how they plan on using it.
- Walk around the room, offering support and answering questions.
3. Reflection and Sharing (10 minutes)
- Bring the group together and facilitate a discussion using Sharing and Reflecting (discussion).
- Invite each student to share one new insight or a tool they have selected for their toolkit.
- Summarize key points and ensure any questions are addressed.
Additional Notes
- This session is influenced by broader mental health initiatives like "Mental Health First Aid", which emphasizes early intervention and practical support strategies.
- Teachers should be mindful to create a safe, supportive environment for all students.
- Prior review of all materials, including the Creating Your Toolkit (lesson-plan) and digital access setups for the slide deck and other resources, is important for smooth execution.
Student Worksheet
Use the space below for your personal reflections and planning your mental health toolkit:
Name of Tool/Strategy:
Why did you choose this tool?
How will you use this tool to support your well-being?
Discussion
Sharing and Reflecting
Overview
In this discussion, students will have the opportunity to share their experiences and insights gained from the toolkit-building activity. The goal is to foster a supportive and inclusive environment where students can reflect on their learning and share the tools they found most valuable in supporting their mental well-being.
Guidelines
- Respect and Listen: Make sure to listen carefully when a fellow student is sharing. Respect everyone's feelings and experiences.
- Be Open and Honest: Share your thoughts and feelings in a way that is true to your own experiences.
- Stay on Topic: Focus on discussing the tools in your mental health toolkit and how they support your well-being.
- Confidentiality: What is shared in the group stays in the group. Respect each other's privacy.
Discussion Prompts
-
Reflect on Your Toolkit: What tool or strategy did you include in your mental health toolkit, and why did it stand out to you?
-
Practical Use: Share an example of how you think you'll use this tool in a real-life situation. How might it help you manage stress or emotions?
-
New Insights: What is one new insight you gained about mental health or self-care while creating your toolkit?
-
Support and Encouragement: Is there a tool that a classmate mentioned that you hadn't considered before? How do you think it could be useful in your own life?
-
Future Sharing: How do you plan to keep or update your toolkit in the future as you learn more about what supports your well-being?
Follow-Up Points
- Personal Reflections: Encourage students to explain how each tool connects to their personal experiences.
- Tool Comparisons: Ask students to compare their toolkit tools with one another, discussing common themes and unique approaches.
- Open Floor: Allow a few minutes for any additional comments or questions regarding mental well-being practices.
Closing
Thank everyone for their contributions and respect the shared experiences. Summarize by emphasizing the importance of continuously updating and referring back to these personal resources as a means of supporting mental health.