Breaking the Stigma Script

This script is designed to guide you through each of the five 30-minute sessions. Follow this word-for-word script to ensure consistency and clarity when facilitating discussions, activities, and reflections with your students. Feel free to pause for questions and student input as indicated.

Session 1: Introduction & Understanding Stigma

Teacher:
"Good morning, everyone! Today, we are starting an important journey together. Over the next five sessions, we are going to talk about something called 'stigma' and learn ways to build our confidence. Our goal is to understand what stigma is, how it can affect our feelings, and most importantly, how we can overcome it."

(Take a moment to make eye contact with the group.)

"Let's begin by looking at our slide deck. Please take a look at the first slide: 'Breaking the Stigma: Confidence Boost.' As you see, this journey is all about discovering our inner strength and supporting each other."

(Click to the next slide.)

"Now, on this next slide, we see the question: 'What is Stigma?' Stigma is a negative stereotype or label that society might sometimes place on individuals. It can make people feel different or less valuable. Can anyone share what they think it might feel like to have someone label you in a way that isn’t true?"

(Allow responses and acknowledge student opinions.)

"Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Next, we will read a short selection from our provided reading material. As you listen, try to notice any ways the text describes the impact of stigma on emotions and self-esteem."

(Read aloud the selected passages from the Breaking the Stigma Reading).

"Now that we've listened and read, let's discuss. What feelings or thoughts did the reading bring up for you? How might stigma affect someone's actions or self-worth?"

(Encourage guided discussion using prompts from the Breaking the Stigma Discussion Guide.)

"Great discussion everyone. To wrap up today’s session, we are going to do a quick interactive activity. In groups, use the Breaking the Stigma Activity to create a short list of words or phrases that you think might mistakenly be used to label someone, and then discuss why these labels are harmful. You have about 10 minutes for this."

(After group activity, bring everyone back together.)

"Let’s review some of your responses. Who would like to share one example and explain why that word or phrase could be hurtful?"

(Listen to responses and validate contributions.)

"Remember, understanding stigma is the first step to challenging it. Great work today, and I'll see you in our next session!"

Session 2: Self-Reflection & Personal Strengths

Teacher:
"Welcome back, everyone! In today’s session, we will focus on you—your thoughts, feelings, and your personal strengths. We all have qualities that make us unique and strong."

"I’m going to share some stories from our script about people who have faced stigma but discovered their inner strengths. Listen carefully and think about your own experiences."

(Read aloud parts of the Breaking the Stigma Script that include stories of overcoming stigma.)

"Now, I want you to reflect on your own strengths and challenges. Please take out your Breaking the Stigma Worksheet and write down three things that you believe are your greatest strengths and one challenge you have overcome recently. You have about 10 minutes for this reflection."

(Pause for reflection.)

"Would anyone like to share one of their strengths with the group? Sharing can inspire others and remind us of our capabilities."

(Encourage voluntary sharing. Provide positive feedback.)

"Thank you for sharing. Next, I'm dividing you into small groups for a discussion. In your groups, talk about how recognizing your strengths can help challenge negative thoughts. Use your experiences and ideas to understand each other better. You have 10 minutes to discuss, and then we’ll come back as a class to share a summary."

(After group discussions, reconvene.)

"Let's hear from one group. Can someone summarize your discussion about how personal strengths can help overcome stigma?"

(Listen and summarize.)

"Excellent insights today. Remember, knowing who you are and what you're capable of is key to building confidence. We'll explore more ways to challenge negative thoughts in our next session. Great job today!"

Session 3: Challenging Negative Thoughts

Teacher:
"Hello everyone! Today we’re going to learn something very useful—challenging negative thoughts. Sometimes, negative thoughts can sneak into our minds and make us feel less confident. We are going to learn how to replace them with positive self-talk."

"Let’s start by reviewing some slides. Please look at the slide titled 'Challenging Negative Thoughts.' This slide shows that by changing our self-talk, we can change how we feel."

(Click through to the slide in the Breaking the Stigma Slide Deck.)

"Can anyone share an example of a negative thought they might have experienced or witnessed? What did it feel like?"

(Allow for sharing a few examples.)

"Thank you for sharing. Now, I will model a strategy: when you catch a negative thought, try to pause and ask, 'Is this thought really true? How can I rephrase this in a positive way?' For example, instead of thinking 'I’m not good enough,' try thinking 'I am capable and I learn from my mistakes.'"

"Let’s practice together through a role-play activity. I will split you into pairs and assign each pair a scenario from our Breaking the Stigma Activity. Discuss the scenario and practice transforming a negative thought into a positive affirmation. You have about 10 minutes for this activity."

(Circulate among the pairs and provide support.)

"Let's reconvene and share one example from the role-plays. Who would like to share how they reframed a negative thought?"

(Invite volunteers to share.)

"Great work today. Remember, every time you challenge a negative thought, it's a step towards building greater confidence. See you in the next session when we focus on building supportive relationships."

Session 4: Building Supportive Relationships

Teacher:
"Welcome back! Today we will talk about how important supportive relationships are in helping us overcome stigma and build our confidence. Friends, family, teachers, and mentors can all play a big role in supporting us."

"Let's look at our slide titled 'Building Supportive Relationships' in the Breaking the Stigma Slide Deck. Notice the examples of support networks shown on the slide."

(Review slide content.)

"I want you to think for a moment: Who in your life makes you feel supported and confident? How do they help you deal with challenges?"

(Pause for a few seconds for silent reflection.)

"Now, we’re going to engage in a fun, collaborative game. I’m grouping you for the Breaking the Stigma Game. The game is designed to help you learn more about each other and build connections. Work together, complete the game, and discuss what you learn about supporting one another. You have 15 minutes for the game."

(Allow time for the game and monitor group dynamics.)

"Let’s come back together. Would someone like to share how a supportive relationship has made a difference for them or a friend?"

(Listen to responses and affirm student experiences.)

"Thank you, everyone. Remember, strong relationships help us stand up against stigma and remind us that we are never alone. In our final session, we will recap all we’ve learned and talk about future steps for self-care and confidence building."

Session 5: Recap, Quiz & Future Steps

Teacher:
"Welcome to our final session! Today we’re going to take a look back at our journey together and talk about how you can continue building confidence even after our sessions are over."

"First, let’s review our key points using our script. Remember how we learned what stigma is, ways to challenge negative thoughts, and the importance of supportive relationships?"

(Briefly summarize key points from previous sessions using key excerpts from the Breaking the Stigma Script.)

"Now, I’m going to hand out a Breaking the Stigma Quiz to see how much we’ve learned. Answer the questions as best as you can. You’ll have about 10 minutes to complete the quiz."

(After the quiz, review the answers together using the Breaking the Stigma Answer Key.)

"Great job everyone! Before we finish, I want to open up a final discussion. What are some future steps you think you can take to maintain your confidence and continue challenging stigma in your daily lives?"

(Engage in a group discussion and encourage thoughtful responses.)

"Thank you all for your honesty and participation over these sessions. Remember, your uniqueness is your strength and you have the power to create a supportive environment for yourselves and others. Keep challenging negative perceptions and always believe in your own amazing abilities. Great work today, everyone!"

This concludes the script for "Breaking the Stigma: Confidence Boost." Follow these steps, adjust as necessary based on your classroom dynamics, and remember to be patient and supportive as each student on their journey to confidence.

Breaking the Stigma Worksheet

This worksheet is designed to help you reflect on your personal strengths, challenges, and experiences with stigma. Take your time to answer each section honestly and thoughtfully. Remember, your reflections are private and meant to help you understand your unique journey better.

Part 1: Personal Strengths and Challenges

1. List three personal strengths that make you unique and resilient:
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Describe one challenge you have overcome or are currently facing, and explain how you managed or are managing it:
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Reflect on a moment when you felt proud of yourself. What happened and why did it make you feel confident?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Understanding Stigma

1. Write down a few words or phrases that you think could be used to unfairly label someone. Why do you think these labels are harmful?
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Think about a time when you or someone you know experienced stigma. How did it affect feelings or behavior?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 3: Challenging Negative Thoughts

1. Identify a negative thought you have had about yourself. How did it make you feel?
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Now, reframe that negative thought into a positive affirmation. For example, change "I’m not good enough" to "I am capable and I grow from my challenges." Write your positive affirmation here:
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 4: Building Supportive Relationships

1. Name one person or group who makes you feel supported. How do their actions help build your confidence?
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Write down one way you can support a friend who might be experiencing stigma:
   
   
   
   
   
   

Take your time to review your answers and think about what they mean to you. Use this worksheet as a tool to remind yourself of your strengths and the positive steps you can take with even the challenging parts of your journey. Your thoughts matter, and you are worthy of all the support and care in the world.

Breaking the Stigma Reading

In our community, every individual has a unique story. Some of these stories include moments of strength—times when a person overcame challenges and discovered new parts of themselves. However, not all stories start with acceptance. Many people face something called "stigma."

What is Stigma?

Stigma is when someone is given a label or judgment simply because they are different. It can be based on how a person feels, the challenges they face, or even their family background. When someone is stigmatized, they might be seen as less capable, or might be treated unfairly just because they are not like everyone else.

Imagine you love playing soccer, but some people say that only a few can really be good at the sport. When someone is forced to believe that idea, they might start to doubt their skills. This is similar to how stigma can make a person doubt their abilities in life.

The Effects of Stigma

Stigma can hurt deeply. When someone is labeled, it can change the way they see themselves or how others treat them. Some effects of stigma include:

• Isolation: Feeling detached from others or left out of events.
• Low Self-Esteem: Believing that one is not worthy or capable.
• Increased Stress: Struggling with negative thoughts that make daily life more challenging.

But understanding stigma is the first step toward overcoming it. Recognizing that these negative labels are just words—and they don't define who you truly are—is empowering.

Stories of Strength

Consider Mia, a middle school student who loved painting and writing stories. Some classmates teased her for being different and for having a family that looked unusual. At first, the hurtful words made her feel small and alone. But Mia also recognized her talent and creative spark. With the support of a caring teacher and some close friends, Mia started sharing her art in class. Slowly, the teasing lessened, and Mia’s confidence grew.

Or think about Jamal, who sometimes felt overwhelmed by anxiety. The negative labels and misunderstandings about his feelings made him doubt his worth. With time, he began to share his experiences with a trusted counselor. By learning that his feelings were normal and his strengths were real, Jamal found ways to challenge the negative thoughts and replace them with encouraging words.

Moving Forward Together

Everyone has challenges, but every challenge can also be an opportunity. When you learn about stigma and its effects, you also learn about the strength that lies within you. Just as Mia and Jamal discovered, each person has the power to overcome negative labels by embracing their unique qualities and building supportive relationships with others.

Remember, when you feel unsure, it can help to reflect on what makes you special. Talk with friends, family, or teachers about your experiences. In our upcoming discussions and activities, we will share more about these experiences and learn strategies to challenge negative thoughts.

Your journey is important, and your uniqueness is your strength. No label can ever take away the potential and beauty that you bring into the world.

Breaking the Stigma Discussion Guide

This guide is designed to help you lead a structured discussion with your students about stigma and confidence building. Use these questions and prompts to engage students, encourage sharing, and facilitate a supportive dialogue. Feel free to adjust the language or sequence based on your classroom’s comfort level and dynamics.

Guidelines for Facilitating Discussion

1. Set a Safe Space: Begin the discussion by reminding students that all opinions and experiences are respected. Establish ground rules for confidentiality and respectful listening.

2. Open-Ended Questions: Use open-ended questions to invite thoughtful responses without pressuring any student to share more than they feel comfortable.

3. Encouragement and Validation: Acknowledge contributions with positive feedback and validate students' feelings. Remind them that each perspective is meaningful and contributes to a richer conversation.

4. Flexibility: Allow the conversation to flow naturally. If a student raises an unexpected point, explore it further if it adds value to the discussion.

Session-Specific Prompts

Session 1: Understanding Stigma

• What does the word "stigma" mean to you? How do you think labels and judgments affect a person’s self-esteem?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Have you ever witnessed or experienced a situation where someone was labeled unfairly? What impact did that have on the person?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Why do you think it is important for us to talk about stigma?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Session 2: Self-Reflection & Personal Strengths

• What are some personal strengths that you feel proud of? Can you share one example that makes you feel unique?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• In what ways can acknowledging our strengths help us challenge negative labels or thoughts?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• How can sharing our personal experiences with others support our journey in overcoming stigma?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Session 3: Challenging Negative Thoughts

• What kinds of negative thoughts have you noticed in yourself or others when facing criticism or judgments?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• How do you think changing negative self-talk into positive self-affirmations can impact your confidence?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Can you think of a situation where reframing negative thoughts could help improve the outcome? How would you express that in positive terms?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Session 4: Building Supportive Relationships

• Who in your life makes you feel understood and supported? What specific actions contribute to that support?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Why are supportive relationships important in challenging stigmatizing labels?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• How can we, as a class, create an environment that supports each other and values our individual strengths?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Session 5: Future Steps & Self-Care

• After discussing stigma and challenges, what are some strategies you think are important to continue building confidence?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• What can you do daily to remind yourself of your worth and counter any negative labels you might face?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• How can we, as a class or community, support one another in continuing this journey beyond these sessions?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Follow-Up Prompts

• Reflection: Ask students to reflect on which concept or discussion resonated with them the most and why. They can share aloud or write their thoughts if they are more comfortable with writing.

• Connection: Encourage tying the discussions back to the Breaking the Stigma Reading or their experiences from the Breaking the Stigma Worksheet to help solidify personal connections.

• Action: Invite students to think about one small action they can take in their daily life to challenge stigma or support their peers. Ask for a few volunteers to share their ideas.

Remember, the goal of this discussion is to foster a safe, open environment where every student feels heard and valued. Let the conversation flow naturally and be ready to guide it back to the key themes of stigma awareness, personal strength, positive self-talk, and supportive relationships.

Breaking the Stigma Activity

This activity is designed to help you explore and challenge stigma through interactive exercises. It includes role-playing, group discussions, and creative expression to reinforce the lesson's key concepts and encourage collaboration.

Objectives

• Identify common words or phrases that can contribute to stigma.
• Practice reframing negative thoughts into positive affirmations.
• Collaborate with peers to understand the impact of supportive relationships.

Activity Components

Part 1: Label Challenge

1. Group Discussion:

   • In small groups, discuss and list words or phrases that might be used unfairly to label someone.
   • Consider why these labels can be harmful and how they might affect a person's self-esteem.
   • Use the prompts from the Discussion Guide to deepen your conversation.

2. Sharing:

   • Each group will share one or two examples with the class, explaining their thoughts on the impact of these labels.

Part 2: Role-Playing Reframe

1. Scenario Assignment:

   • Teachers will provide each pair or small group with a scenario that involves negative labeling or self-doubt.
   • Example Scenario: "Alex hears a hurtful comment about their abilities and starts feeling unsure."

2. Role-Play:

   • In your groups, role-play the scenario. First, act out the negative scenario. Then, practice reframing the situation with a positive affirmation or supportive response.
   • For example, change the negative thought "I’m not good enough" into "I am capable and I am learning every day."

3. Group Reflection:

   • After the role-play, discuss as a group how the positive reframing changed the mood or perspective in the scenario.

Part 3: Creative Expression

1. Poster Creation:

   • In your groups, create a poster that highlights a positive message to challenge stigma. Use drawings, words, and motivational quotes.
   • Consider including tips on how to support one another and foster a positive environment.

2. Gallery Walk:

   • Once completed, each group will present their poster to the class.
   • As you walk around, provide positive feedback and note different ways students can challenge stigma and build confidence.

Wrap-Up

1. Reflection Questions:

   • What did you learn about how simple words can have a big impact?
   • How did practicing reframing negative thoughts help you feel more empowered?
   • What did you enjoy about working together to create the posters?

2. Class Discussion:

   • Reconvene as a class and discuss the challenges and successes of the activity. Use ideas from the Discussion Guide to facilitate open conversation.

By engaging in these interactive exercises, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how stigma affects individuals and learn practical steps to challenge negative labels through positive self-talk and supportive relationships.

Breaking the Stigma Game

This collaborative game is designed to reinforce the lessons on stigma and confidence by engaging students in teamwork, empathy, and problem-solving. In this game, students will work together to overcome challenges related to stigma and practice supportive communication.

Game Overview

• Objective: Strengthen group connections, develop empathy, and practice strategies to overcome stigma through teamwork.
  
  
  
• Format: Collaborative team-based game where students are presented with scenarios and challenges that they must solve together.
  
  
  
• Duration: Approximately 15-20 minutes.
  
  
  

How to Play

1. Divide into Small Groups:

   • Organize students into groups of 4-5. Each group should have a quiet area where they can discuss and strategize.
     
     
     

2. Scenario Cards:

   • Provide each group with a set of scenario cards. Each card contains a brief situation involving stigma, negative labeling, or self-doubt (e.g., "Alex hears a hurtful comment and starts to doubt their abilities.").
     
     
     

3. Challenge Round:

   • Each group selects a card and reads the scenario together. They then have 5 minutes to discuss and devise a plan to address the situation using positive self-talk and supportive strategies. Encourage them to create a brief role-play or verbal plan that demonstrates how to overcome the challenge.
     
     
     

4. Sharing and Reflection:

   • After each group has prepared their response, invite them to share their scenario and solution with the class. The teacher can facilitate a discussion on what strategies were effective and why.
     
     
     

5. Group Reflection:

   • Conclude the game by having each group reflect on what they learned from the activity. Ask questions such as:
     • How did working together help in reframing negative thoughts?
     • What supportive actions were most effective?
       
       
       

Game Variations

• Timed Challenge: Introduce a timer to add a sense of urgency to the scenario planning.
  
  
  
• Point System: Award points for creativity, clarity of the positive reframing, and teamwork. Points can be used for a small reward at the end of the session.
  
  
  
• Role Rotation: Allow different members of each group to take on roles such as discussion leader, note-taker, and presenter, ensuring that everyone participates.
  
  
  

By engaging in the Breaking the Stigma Game, students will not only practice strategies to counter negative stereotypes but also build stronger, more empathetic connections with their peers. Enjoy the game, and remember—every positive step you take helps build a more confident and inclusive community!

Breaking the Stigma Answer Key

This answer key provides the correct answers and detailed explanations to help assess student understanding for the Breaking the Stigma Quiz.

Question 1

Question: Which of the following best defines stigma as discussed in the lesson?

Correct Answer: B) A negative stereotype or label that can make someone feel less valuable

Explanation: The lesson explains that stigma is about negative labels or stereotypes that society might apply to someone. This definition emphasizes the harmful effects of such labels on a person's self-esteem and can impact how they see themselves.

Question 2

Question: Describe one strategy you can use to challenge negative thoughts and build your confidence.

Correct Answer: (Open-response)

Evaluation Guidelines:

• Look for responses that mention identifying negative thoughts, questioning their validity, and replacing them with positive affirmations or supportive self-talk. For example, a student might say, "I challenge my negative thought by asking myself if it's really true, then I replace it with a positive statement like, 'I am capable and I learn from my mistakes.'"
• The response should reflect an understanding of the process of reframing a negative thought into a more positive, empowering one.

Question 3

Question: How do supportive relationships help in overcoming stigma?

Correct Answer: C) They provide encouragement and help build self-esteem

Explanation: The lesson emphasizes that supportive relationships—be it from friends, family, or teachers—play a crucial role in building confidence. Such relationships offer encouragement and validation, which can help counteract the negative effects of stigma and foster a positive self-image.

Teachers can use this answer key to guide classroom discussions, provide feedback on student responses, and ensure that the critical elements of understanding stigma and building confidence are clearly communicated.