lenny

Breaking the Silence

user image

Lesson Plan

Breaking the Silence

Students will learn to recognize self-harm warning signs, explore healthy coping strategies, and practice peer-support skills to build resilience and connect with resources.

High schoolers at risk of self-harm benefit from early recognition of warning signs, practical coping tools, and peer support to prevent crises and foster emotional well-being.

Audience

High School Students (Grades 9-12)

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Use visuals, discussions, worksheets, and role-play.

Materials

Whiteboard and Markers, Breaking the Silence Slide Deck, Self-Harm Warning Signs Poster, and Coping Strategies Worksheet

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Safe-Space Ground Rules

3 minutes

  • Welcome students and thank them for attending
  • Emphasize confidentiality (what’s shared stays in the group)
  • Review group norms: listen actively, respect all feelings, no shame or judgment
  • Explain objectives: recognize warning signs, learn coping tools, support each other

Step 2

Recognizing Warning Signs

5 minutes

  • Display the Self-Harm Warning Signs Poster
  • Ask: “What behaviors or feelings on this poster stand out to you?”
  • Facilitate discussion of emotional, behavioral, and verbal indicators
  • Highlight that noticing these signs early can save lives

Step 3

Exploring Healthy Coping Strategies

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Coping Strategies Worksheet
  • Use slides to review categories: emotional, physical, creative, social
  • Invite students to write down one new idea per category
  • Briefly share examples as a group

Step 4

Peer Support Role-Play

5 minutes

  • Pair students; assign one as speaker, one as listener
  • Speaker describes a stressful situation without naming self-harm
  • Listener practices active listening and suggests a coping strategy
  • After 2 minutes, swap roles
  • Debrief: “How did it feel to give/receive support?”

Step 5

Closing & Next Steps

2 minutes

  • Reiterate importance of speaking up if they or a friend struggle
  • Share local resources and hotlines (keep list visible)
  • Encourage ongoing peer check-ins and self-care practice
  • Thank students and remind them the safe space remains open
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Breaking the Silence

Recognizing & Addressing Self-Harm

Welcome everyone. Introduce yourself and thank students for attending. Emphasize that this is a safe, confidential space—what’s shared here stays here. Briefly explain that today’s lesson is called “Breaking the Silence” and will help them recognize self-harm warning signs, learn healthy coping strategies, and practice supporting each other.

Objectives

• Recognize warning signs of self-harm
• Understand healthy coping strategies
• Practice peer-support skills

Explain each objective clearly. Invite students to mentally note which objective matters most to them today.

Warning Signs

Emotional Signs:

  • Severe mood swings
  • Expressions of hopelessness or worthlessness

Behavioral Signs:

  • Withdrawal from friends or activities
  • Self-injury scars or unexplained injuries

Verbal Signs:

  • “I can’t go on”
  • “You’d be better off without me”

Display the Self-Harm Warning Signs Poster alongside this slide. Ask: “Which sign resonates or surprises you?” Facilitate a brief discussion.

Coping Categories

Emotional: talking it out, journaling
Physical: exercise, deep breathing
Creative: drawing, music, writing
Social: spending time with friends, group activities

Introduce the four categories of coping strategies. Encourage students to jot down one idea of their own under each category during the next activity.

Example Strategies

Emotional:

  • Talk with a trusted friend or counselor

Physical:

  • Go for a quick walk or do yoga stretches

Creative:

  • Paint or doodle feelings

Social:

  • Join a club or call a supportive family member

Offer concrete examples for each category. Invite students to share additional ideas aloud.

Peer Support Role-Play

  1. Pair up: one speaker, one listener
  2. Speaker shares a stressful scenario (no self-harm details)
  3. Listener practices active listening, then suggests a coping strategy
  4. After 2 minutes, switch roles
  5. Debrief: “How did it feel to give and receive support?”

Explain the role-play format: half the circle will speak, half will listen; then swap. Emphasize the importance of active listening and empathy.

Resources & Next Steps

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
• Text “HOME” to 741741 (Crisis Text Line)
• School counselor’s office
• Local youth mental health center

Keep checking in with friends and practice self-care daily.

Reiterate that help is always available. Share your local resource list and encourage students to use it. Remind them the safe space remains open beyond this session.

lenny
Breaking the Silence • Lenny Learning