Lesson Plan
Mind Matters Lesson Plan
Students will learn to recognize and name their emotions, reduce mental health stigma, and practice two simple coping strategies by the end of the 30-minute lesson.
Building emotional awareness and destigmatizing mental health helps 8th graders develop empathy, self-care skills, and a supportive classroom community.
Audience
8th Grade Middle School Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, hands-on activity, and guided reflection.
Materials
Emotion Frequency Chart, Coping Strategies Handout, Mental Health Slide Deck, and Whiteboard and markers
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Mental Health Slide Deck to ensure you’re comfortable with key definitions and talking points
- Print enough copies of the Emotion Frequency Chart and Coping Strategies Handout for each student
- Set up the whiteboard with headings “Emotions” and “Coping Strategies”
Step 1
Warm-Up and Community Agreement
5 minutes
- Welcome students and introduce the lesson’s focus on mental health awareness
- Establish a quick community agreement (e.g., respect, confidentiality)
- Ask students to rate how they’re feeling right now (thumbs up/down/sideways) and share one word that describes their emotion
Step 2
Direct Instruction: Defining Emotions & Stigma
7 minutes
- Present slides 1–5 of the Mental Health Slide Deck
- Define “mental health” and why it matters
- Discuss common emotional experiences in adolescence and address stigma around talking about feelings
- Invite students to ask clarifying questions
Step 3
Emotion Identification Activity
8 minutes
- Distribute the Emotion Frequency Chart to each student
- In pairs, students circle or highlight three emotions they experience most often
- Reconvene and invite volunteers to share examples while recording responses on the whiteboard under “Emotions”
Step 4
Coping Strategies Discussion
6 minutes
- Hand out the Coping Strategies Handout
- Briefly review two strategies (e.g., deep breathing, positive self-talk)
- Ask students to brainstorm one real-life scenario where they might use each strategy; jot ideas on whiteboard under “Coping Strategies”
Step 5
Reflection and Cool-Down
4 minutes
- Ask students to write an exit ticket: one emotion they’ll pay attention to this week and one coping strategy they’ll try
- Collect exit tickets as they leave
- Reinforce that emotions are natural and that they can seek support whenever needed
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Slide Deck
Mental Health Matters
• What is mental health?
• Why it’s important
• Common emotions we all feel
• How stigma affects us
Welcome students and introduce the lesson’s focus on mental health awareness. Explain that over the next few minutes we’ll define mental health, discuss why it matters, explore common emotions, and talk about stigma.
What Is Mental Health?
Mental health is our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
It influences:
• How we think and feel
• How we handle stress
• How we relate to others
Define “mental health” in simple terms. Emphasize that it’s about how we think, feel, and behave. Clarify that mental health is as important as physical health.
Why Mental Health Matters
• Impacts school performance and focus
• Affects friendships and communication
• Helps us manage stress and change
• Shapes how we solve problems
Discuss why mental health matters for 8th graders: performing well in school, building friendships, and coping with changes. Use real-life examples like test anxiety or feeling nervous before a game.
Understanding Stigma
Stigma is the negative attitudes and beliefs about mental health that make people feel ashamed or alone.
• Keeps us from asking for help
• Creates misunderstandings
• Can make us hide our feelings
Explain stigma: negative labels or judgments about mental health and emotions. Share a quick example (e.g., “You’re so dramatic”) and ask how that might make someone feel. Encourage empathy.
Common Emotions We Experience
• Happiness
• Sadness
• Anger
• Fear or Anxiety
• Excitement
Emotions are natural and everyone experiences them.
Introduce common emotions to help students recognize what they feel. Emphasize that all emotions are natural. Prompt students to think of times they’ve felt each one.
Worksheet
Emotion Frequency Chart
Instructions:
- For each emotion listed below, place an ✓ in the column that best describes how often you experience it.
- Then circle the three emotions you feel most often.
| Emotion | Never | Sometimes | Often | Always |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Happiness | ||||
| Sadness | ||||
| Anger | ||||
| Fear or Anxiety | ||||
| Excitement | ||||
| Frustration | ||||
| Calmness/Peace | ||||
| Surprise |
My Top 3 Emotions and Examples
- Emotion: _________________________________
Example (when I felt this): ____________________________________________________ - Emotion: _________________________________
Example (when I felt this): ____________________________________________________ - Emotion: _________________________________
Example (when I felt this): ____________________________________________________
Worksheet
Coping Strategies Handout
Mental health involves practicing habits that help us feel calm, focused, and connected. Below are several coping strategies you can try when you notice challenging emotions. Read each description and think about which ones might work best for you.
Coping Strategies
• Deep Breathing
Take slow, deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth to help calm your body and mind.
• Positive Self-Talk
Replace negative thoughts with encouraging statements (e.g., “I can handle this,” “I’ve got this”).
• Physical Activity
Move your body—go for a walk, stretch, or do jumping jacks—to release tension and boost your mood.
• Journaling
Write down your thoughts and feelings to better understand what you’re experiencing.
• Grounding Techniques
Use your five senses (name 5 things you see, 4 you feel, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste) to stay present.
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Tense and then relax different muscle groups in your body to reduce stress.
• Talking with a Friend or Trusted Adult
Share how you’re feeling to get support and perspective.
Reflection Activity
Choose two strategies from the list above. For each one, write the strategy name and describe a real-life scenario where you might use it.
- Strategy: _________________________________
Scenario (when I might use this): - Strategy: _________________________________
Scenario (when I might use this):
Worksheet
Exit Ticket
Please complete the prompts below:
- One emotion I will pay attention to this week is:
- One coping strategy I will try this week is:
Worksheet
Mental Health Awareness Worksheet
Part 1: Defining Mental Health
-
In your own words, what is mental health?
-
Why is mental health important for you?
Part 2: Emotion Frequency
Read the list of emotions below. Place a ✓ in the column that best describes how often you experience each emotion. Then, circle the three emotions you feel most often.
| Emotion | Never | Sometimes | Often | Always |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Happiness | ||||
| Sadness | ||||
| Anger | ||||
| Fear or Anxiety | ||||
| Excitement | ||||
| Frustration | ||||
| Calmness/Peace | ||||
| Surprise |
Part 3: Coping Strategies Reflection
Choose two coping strategies you’ve used or want to try. For each, write the strategy name and describe a scenario where you might use it.
-
Strategy: _________________________________
Scenario: ____________________________________ -
Strategy: _________________________________
Scenario: ____________________________________
Part 4: Personal Action Plan
What is one emotion you will pay attention to this week, and one coping strategy you will practice?