Lesson Plan
Mind Matters: Navigating Mental Health
Introduce 7th and 8th graders to mental health, focusing on depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, while providing tools to recognize and manage these issues and guidance on seeking help.
This lesson empowers students during May Mental Health Awareness Month by increasing awareness, promoting self-care, and reducing stigma around mental health challenges.
Audience
7th & 8th Grade Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, group activities, and guided reflection.
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Mental Health Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with key points.
- Check the Emotion Management Toolkit for activities that support emotional regulation.
- Ensure the Resource Handout for Help is printed or accessible digitally for student distribution.
- Prepare to facilitate group discussions and activities effectively.
Step 1
Introduction & Discussion
10 minutes
- Begin with an interactive discussion on what mental health means and why it’s important.
- Use the Mental Health Slide Deck to present key concepts.
- Ask students to share any prior knowledge or questions about mental health.
Step 2
Recognizing Mental Health Challenges
10 minutes
- Introduce common mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.
- Highlight signs to look for in oneself and others.
- Encourage students to note examples on a whiteboard or shared document.
Step 3
Managing Emotions Activity
10 minutes
- Utilize the Emotion Management Toolkit to guide students through simple techniques (deep breathing, mindfulness, and journaling).
- Conduct a brief activity where students practice one technique and share their experience.
Step 4
Seeking Help & Conclusion
15 minutes
- Discuss available resources and how to seek help if they or a friend are struggling.
- Hand out the Resource Handout for Help and review key contact details (counselors, hotlines).
- Wrap up with a Q&A session to revisit important points and answer any final questions.
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Slide Deck
Mind Matters: Navigating Mental Health
Welcome to our session on Mental Health: Understanding and Caring for Ourselves & Others
Introduce the lesson and set a welcoming environment for discussion. Explain what will be covered in today's session about mental health and why it's important. Mention that the session is interactive and encourage students to participate.
What is Mental Health?
• Mental health involves our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
• It affects how we think, feel, and act.
• It's important at every stage of life.
Discuss the basic concept of mental health. Ask students what they understand by mental health to build on existing knowledge.
Common Mental Health Challenges
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Substance Abuse
These issues can affect anyone, including young people, and it's important to recognize their signs early.
Introduce common mental health challenges that students might hear about or see in their communities. Stress that these challenges are common and help is available.
Recognizing the Signs
• Changes in mood or behavior
• Withdrawal from friends or activities
• Difficulty concentrating
• Unexplained sadness or irritability
• Changes in sleeping or eating habits
Focus on what signs to look for. Encourage students to share their thoughts on what these signs might be and how they can notice them in themselves or peers.
Managing Your Emotions
• Deep Breathing & Mindfulness
• Journaling your thoughts
• Talking to someone you trust
Remember: It's okay to feel and express your emotions in healthy ways.
Discuss simple techniques for managing emotions. Provide a brief demonstration or ask students to practice one technique during the session if time allows.
Seeking Help When You Need It
• Reach out to a trusted adult or school counselor
• Use available resources or hotlines
• Remember: Asking for help is a sign of strength
Review how to seek help when experiencing mental health challenges. Stress the importance of talking to adults or professionals, and mention the resources provided in the lesson.
Wrap-Up & Q&A
• Recap of today’s lesson
• Encourage questions and open discussion
• Remember: Your mental health is important!
Conclude the lesson with a review of the key points covered. Open the floor for any student questions and reinforce the message that mental health matters.
Activity
Emotion Management Toolkit
This toolkit is designed to help you guide students through practical activities that support emotional regulation and wellbeing. The following sections provide a series of simple exercises and prompts that are perfect for a classroom setting. These activities include deep breathing, mindfulness practices, and journaling prompts.
Deep Breathing Exercise
Objective: Teach students a simple deep breathing technique to help calm their bodies and minds.
Instructions:
- Ask students to sit comfortably with their feet on the floor and hands resting on their lap.
- Guide them to close their eyes (if comfortable) and take a deep breath in through the nose for a count of 4, hold for a count of 2, and exhale slowly through the mouth for a count of 6.
- Repeat this cycle for 3-5 minutes.
Student Reflection:
Mindfulness Practice
Objective: Encourage students to be present in the moment by focusing on their senses.
Instructions:
- Ask students to choose an object in the classroom (it can be anything simple, like a pen or a picture).
- Instruct them to observe the object's details: its color, texture, shape, and any other distinctive features.
- Ask them to silently describe the object to themselves, noticing each detail without judgment.
Discussion Prompts:
- How did focusing on this object make you feel?
- Did you notice anything new about the object?
- What does this teach you about the value of paying attention?
Student Reflection:
Journaling Prompts for Emotion Management
Objective: Provide a structured way for students to express their emotions and reflect on their experiences.
Instructions:
-
Introduce journaling as a personal tool for processing feelings.
-
Provide students with the following prompts. Ask them to write freely and honestly:
- What is one emotion you experienced today, and what might have contributed to it?
- Describe a time in the last week when you felt overwhelmed. What did you do to calm down?
- Write a letter to yourself about a positive quality you admire or are thankful for.
-
Allow students 5-10 minutes to write their responses.
Student Reflection:
Final Questions and Group Sharing
After the activities, gather the class for a group discussion:
- Which activity did you find the most helpful and why?
- How can you integrate these activities into your daily routine when you're feeling stressed?
Teacher Tip: Encourage sharing but also respect student privacy. Participation in discussion should be voluntary.
This toolkit is intended to build a foundation for managing emotions and provides practical tools that students can use both in and outside of the classroom. Feel free to adapt these activities based on your class's unique needs and context.
Worksheet
Resource Handout for Help
This handout provides you with a list of resources you can turn to if you or someone you know needs help with mental health issues. Keep this list in a safe place and refer to it when needed.
School Resources
- School Counselor: Visit your school counselor for guidance and support. They are available to help you navigate any challenges you may have.
- Trusted Teacher or Staff Member: Identify an adult at school who you feel comfortable talking to.
Community and National Resources
- Crisis Hotline: If you feel overwhelmed or in crisis, call the National Helpline at 988 (available 24 hours a day).
- Mental Health America: Visit Mental Health America for resources and support.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Find support and information at NAMI.
Online Resources
- Kids Health - Mental Health provides useful articles and tips on managing your emotions.
- Teen Mental Health offers resources and personal stories from teens.
Keeping Track
Write down any additional resources you discover or any personal reminders about what makes you feel better:
Remember: Asking for help is a sign of strength. Reach out if you need someone to talk to.