Lesson Plan
Help a Friend Lesson Plan
Students will learn to recognize signs of depression in a peer, practice empathetic listening to offer support, and connect them with trusted adults and mental health resources.
Adolescents in crisis often feel isolated; equipping students with support skills fosters timely intervention, strengthens peer connections, and ensures friends receive professional help when needed.
Audience
10th Grade Students
Time
15 minutes
Approach
Guided discussion, role-play, and resource mapping
Prep
Teacher Preparation
5 minutes
- Review the three handouts: Signs of Depression Checklist, Empathic Listening Tips Handout, and Trusted Adult Resource List
- Print one copy of each material for the session
- Familiarize yourself with school counseling protocols and local mental health resources
Step 1
Introduction & Goal Setting
2 minutes
- Greet the student and explain confidentiality limits
- Share session objective: supporting a friend in crisis
- Ask the student to briefly describe their concerns about their friend’s mood and safety
Step 2
Recognizing Warning Signs
3 minutes
- Present the Signs of Depression Checklist
- Invite the student to identify which warning signs their friend is showing
- Discuss mood shifts, social withdrawal, and any statements of hopelessness or self-harm
Step 3
Practicing Empathetic Listening
5 minutes
- Distribute the Empathic Listening Tips Handout
- Role-play: student practices asking open-ended questions and reflecting feelings
- Provide feedback: highlight strengths and suggest improvements in tone, body language, and empathy
Step 4
Connecting to Trusted Adults
3 minutes
- Share the Trusted Adult Resource List
- Brainstorm who the friend already trusts (parents, school counselor, coach)
- Help the student plan how to offer stepping-stones: “I can walk you to…” or “Let’s call…”
Step 5
Reflection & Next Steps
2 minutes
- Summarize the three key actions: observation, listening, referral
- Ask the student to commit to one concrete next step (e.g., check in tomorrow, bring friend to counselor)
- Confirm follow-up plan and encourage them to reach out if they need support again
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Slide Deck
Help a Friend in Crisis
An individual 15-minute support session for 10th graders.
Learn how to notice warning signs, listen with empathy, and connect your friend to help.
Greet the student, explain confidentiality limits, and introduce the session: supporting a friend who is feeling depressed after a breakup. Emphasize that the goal is to learn practical steps.
Session Objectives
By the end of this session, you will:
- Recognize warning signs of depression in a friend
- Practice empathetic listening skills
- Connect your friend to trusted adults and mental health resources
Share the session’s objectives. Encourage the student to think about why each objective matters when a friend is struggling.
Recognizing Warning Signs
Key warning signs:
- Persistent sadness or mood shifts
- Social withdrawal or isolation
- Expressions of hopelessness or self-harm thoughts
See the Signs of Depression Checklist for more details.
Present the Signs of Depression Checklist and invite the student to identify which signs apply to their friend. Discuss any examples they’ve observed.
Practicing Empathetic Listening
Empathetic listening tips:
- Ask open-ended questions (e.g., “How are you feeling?”)
- Reflect and validate feelings (e.g., “It sounds like you’re feeling…”)
- Use supportive body language and tone
Refer to the Empathic Listening Tips Handout.
Distribute the Empathic Listening Tips Handout. Role-play a brief conversation: guide the student to ask open-ended questions and reflect feelings. Offer feedback on tone and body language.
Connecting to Trusted Adults
Identify trusted adults:
- Parents, school counselor, coach, teacher
Plan your approach:
- “I can walk you to...”
- “Let’s call...”
Consult the Trusted Adult Resource List.
Share the Trusted Adult Resource List. Brainstorm who the friend already trusts and plan simple ways to involve them. Encourage concrete steps, like walking to the counselor’s office together.
Reflection & Next Steps
Three key actions:
- Observation: Notice warning signs
- Listening: Use empathetic skills
- Referral: Connect to trusted adults
Next step commitment: ___________________
Follow-up plan: ___________________
Summarize the three key actions and ask the student to commit to a next step. Confirm how and when you will follow up.
Worksheet
Signs of Depression Checklist
Check each warning sign you have observed in your friend and add any details or examples below.
- Persistent sadness or mood shifts
- Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
- Social withdrawal or isolation from friends and family
- Changes in sleeping patterns (sleeping too much or too little)
- Noticeable changes in appetite or weight
- Fatigue or low energy despite adequate rest
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Expressions of worthlessness, guilt, or self-blame
- Thoughts about death, dying, or self-harm
- Other observations: _______________________________
Worksheet
Empathic Listening Tips Handout
Use these strategies to support a friend who may be feeling depressed. Practice them during conversations to help your friend feel heard and understood.
1. Ask Open-Ended Questions
- Encourage your friend to share more details rather than yes/no answers.
- Examples:
- “How are you feeling today?”
- “Can you tell me more about what’s on your mind?”
- “How are you feeling today?”
2. Reflect and Validate Feelings
- Show you’re listening by reflecting what you hear.
- Phrases:
- “It sounds like you’re feeling…”
- “I can see this has been really tough for you.”
- “It sounds like you’re feeling…”
3. Use Supportive Body Language and Tone
- Maintain eye contact and nod occasionally
- Lean forward slightly to show interest
- Speak in a calm, gentle voice
4. Avoid Judgement and Unsolicited Advice
- Resist saying “At least…” or “You should…”
- Focus on understanding rather than fixing the problem
5. Embrace Silence
- Allow brief pauses to give your friend space to gather thoughts
- Let them continue when they’re ready without rushing
Practice Scenario
Your friend says, “I don’t know why I even bother anymore.”
Write down one open-ended question you might ask and one reflection you could use below.
My question: ________________________________
My reflection: ______________________________
Worksheet
Trusted Adult Resource List
Use this worksheet to identify adults you trust and plan how to reach out to them when your friend needs support.
- Name: ________________________________
Role/Relationship: _______________________
Contact Info (phone or email): _______________________
How I can approach them: ___________________________ - Name: ________________________________
Role/Relationship: _______________________
Contact Info (phone or email): _______________________
How I can approach them: ___________________________ - Name: ________________________________
Role/Relationship: _______________________
Contact Info (phone or email): _______________________
How I can approach them: ___________________________
Additional Resources
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US): Call or text 988
• Local school counseling office: ______________________ (ext. _______)
Reflection
Which trusted adult will I reach out to first? _______________________
When will I contact them? _______________________________
Cool Down
Reflection Exit Ticket
Thank you for participating in today’s session. Please answer the questions below to help us wrap up.
- Which warning sign of depression was most surprising or new to you?
________________________________ - Write one open-ended question you will ask your friend to show empathy.
________________________________ - Which trusted adult will you involve if you remain concerned for your friend’s safety?
________________________________ - What is the one concrete next step you will take after today’s session?
________________________________ - On a scale of 1 (not confident) to 5 (very confident), how confident do you feel about supporting your friend?
____ / 5