Help Is Here: Teacher Script

Warm-Up: Feeling Check-In (5 minutes)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone. Before we dive into our topic today, I want us to take a quick moment for a 'feeling check-in.' I'm going to hand out these small slips of paper, and I'd like each of you to anonymously write down one feeling you've experienced this week that felt big or overwhelming. It could be something like 'stressed,' 'sad,' 'frustrated,' or 'super excited!' No need to write your name or any details, just one feeling. We're going to collect them, and it will give us a sense of the many different feelings we all carry."

(Collect the slips. If time, briefly read out a few feelings, without identifying students, to show the diversity of emotions. Say something like:)

"Wow, look at all these different feelings! It's clear that all of us experience a wide range of emotions, and sometimes those feelings can feel really big. And that's totally normal. Today, we're going to talk more about those big feelings and what we can do when they feel overwhelming."

Introduction: Big Feelings Are Normal (5 minutes)

(Display Slide Deck: Help Is Here - Slide 1: "Big Feelings Are Normal")

"As we just saw, it's okay to feel sad, angry, worried, or overwhelmed. Everyone experiences big, difficult emotions sometimes. You are not alone in having these feelings. Think about it: have you ever felt a huge wave of emotion, so strong that it felt like it might knock you over? Maybe you felt incredibly happy, or incredibly frustrated. Those big feelings are a natural part of being human."

"Today, we're going to talk about how we can understand these big feelings and, most importantly, what to do when they feel too big to handle on our own. We'll explore healthy ways to cope and learn about the amazing power of reaching out for help. This is a really important conversation, and my goal is for everyone to leave here knowing that there's always support available, and that it's a sign of strength to ask for it."

Understanding Difficult Emotions & Coping (10 minutes)

(Display Slide Deck: Help Is Here - Slide 2: "Understanding Difficult Emotions")

"Let's talk about some of those 'big feelings.' What are some difficult emotions you've heard about or maybe even felt yourself? You don't have to share a personal story, just name the emotion."

(Allow students to offer ideas: e.g., sadness, anger, fear, anxiety, frustration, loneliness.)

"Excellent! These are all very real and powerful emotions. When we feel these intensely, it can be tough. So, what do people do when they feel these big emotions? Sometimes, people try things that might not be so helpful in the long run, like pushing feelings away, or pretending they don't exist. But there are much better ways to handle them – these are called healthy coping strategies."

"Coping means finding healthy ways to deal with our emotions. It helps us feel better, solve problems, and take care of ourselves."

(Display Slide Deck: Help Is Here - Slide 3: "Coping: Finding What Works")

"Look at some of these ideas on the slide. Talking to someone you trust, like a parent or a teacher, can be incredibly helpful. Exercise or playing sports can release energy and change our mood. Listening to music, drawing, or writing in a journal can give us an outlet. Even simple things like taking a few deep breaths can make a difference. What are some healthy things you do when you feel a strong emotion?"

(Allow a few students to share examples of healthy coping.)

"These are all fantastic ideas! Remember, the goal of coping is to manage our feelings in a way that keeps us safe and helps us feel better over time. Now, it's very important for me to say this clearly: sometimes, when feelings are incredibly painful, some people might think about hurting themselves. I want to be very clear that self-harm is not a healthy coping mechanism. It might feel like it helps for a tiny moment, but it creates more problems and doesn't actually solve the difficult feelings. There are always better, safer ways to deal with pain, and we're going to talk about the most important one next: reaching out for help."

Reaching Out for Help (5 minutes)

(Display Slide Deck: Help Is Here - Slide 4: "Help Is Here: Reach Out!")

"When feelings get too big, or when those difficult thoughts about hurting ourselves pop up, the absolute bravest and most important thing you can do is reach out for help. It shows incredible strength to say, 'I need some support.'"

"So, who are your trusted adults? These are people who care about you, listen to you, and want to help you feel safe and okay. Think for a moment... who are some of those people in your life?"

(Allow students to offer ideas: e.g., parents, guardians, teachers, school counselors, school nurse, coaches, aunts/uncles, older siblings.)

"Exactly! These are all wonderful examples. It's so important to have a list of these people in your mind. If you or a friend are having really difficult feelings, or if you hear someone talking about wanting to hurt themselves, it is brave and important to tell a trusted adult immediately. You don't have to have all the answers, you just need to let them know something is wrong. They want to help you, and they can connect you with the right support."

"Remember, you never have to carry these big feelings alone. There is always someone who cares and wants to help you find healthy ways to feel better."

Cool-Down: One Big Idea (5 minutes)

(Distribute the Cool Down: One Big Idea)

"To wrap up our lesson today, I want you to think about everything we discussed. On this cool-down sheet, please write down one important idea or takeaway from today's lesson. It could be something about feelings, about coping, or about asking for help. Just one thing that stuck with you."

(Collect responses.)

"Thank you all for being so thoughtful and engaged today. It takes courage to talk about difficult emotions, and I am really proud of how you all participated. Remember what we talked about: your feelings are valid, healthy coping exists, and help is always here. If you ever need to talk, please know that my door is open, and there are many other trusted adults in this school and in your life who care deeply about you. Take care, everyone."

Warm Up: Feeling Check-In

Instructions: On the line below, anonymously write down one feeling you have experienced this week that felt big or overwhelming. Do not write your name.

Discussion Guide: Reaching Out

Introduction to Reaching Out

"We just talked about different emotions and healthy ways to cope. But what happens when feelings are so big or so difficult that our usual coping strategies don't seem to work? This is where reaching out for help becomes incredibly important."

Identifying Trusted Adults

Teacher Prompt: "Who are the people in your life that you consider 'trusted adults'? These are people who you feel safe with, who listen to you, and who you believe genuinely want to help you."

• Possible student answers: Parents, guardians, older siblings, grandparents, aunts/uncles, teachers, school counselors, school nurse, coaches, religious leaders, family friends.

Follow-up Questions:

• "What makes an adult a 'trusted adult' for you? What qualities do they have?"
• "Why is it important to have more than one trusted adult in your life?"

How to Ask for Help

Teacher Prompt: "Sometimes, even when we know who to talk to, it can be hard to find the right words. What are some ways you could start a conversation with a trusted adult if you were feeling overwhelmed or worried about yourself or a friend?"

• Possible student answers:
  • "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
  • "I'm feeling really sad/stressed/worried and I don't know why."
  • "I need some help with something that's bothering me."
  • "I'm worried about my friend; they've been acting differently."
  • Writing a note or sending a message if talking face-to-face feels too hard at first.

Follow-up Questions:

• "What if the first adult you talk to doesn't seem to understand? What should you do?" (Emphasize trying another trusted adult.)
• "Why is it important to tell an adult if a friend tells you they are thinking about hurting themselves?" (Focus on safety, care, and the adult's ability to provide necessary support, not breaking trust.)

Reinforcing the Message

"Remember, asking for help is one of the bravest things you can do. It's a sign of strength, not weakness. There are always people who care about you and want to help you find healthy ways to manage your feelings and feel better. You don't have to carry heavy feelings alone."

"If you are ever feeling overwhelmed, or if you are worried about a friend, please reach out to one of the trusted adults we talked about today. Your well-being is important, and help is here."

Cool Down: One Big Idea

Instructions: What is one important idea or takeaway you learned from today's lesson about feelings, coping, or asking for help?