Session 1 Script: Introducing Mental Health

Teacher (Display Slide 1 – “What Is Mental Health?”):
"Good morning, everyone! Welcome to our first Mind Well Moments session. Today we’re exploring a super important topic: mental health. To kick us off, I want you to think out loud—what comes to mind when you hear the words ‘mental health’?"



(Pause and invite 2–3 quick responses; affirm each answer.)

Teacher (Advance to Slide 2 – “Mental Health Defined”):
"Those are great thoughts. Here’s a simple definition: mental health is how we think, feel, and act. Let’s break that down:

1. Thoughts are the ideas and stories in your head—like when you tell yourself, ‘I can handle this exam.’
2. Feelings are the emotions you experience—stress, excitement, worry, or relief.
3. Behaviors are what you do—studying for a test, talking with a friend, or pacing when you’re nervous.

Can someone restate that definition in their own words?"



(Invite two volunteers. If needed, prompt: “How would you explain mental health to a friend?”)

Teacher (Advance to Slide 3 – “Key Components”):
"Exactly—mental health is those three pieces working together. Now, let’s see how they show up in real life. I’m passing out a quick worksheet with three short scenarios. Circle whether each one shows a thought, a feeling, or a behavior. Ready?"

Session 1 Activity Worksheet: Mental Health Components

Instructions: Read each scenario below. Circle whether it shows a Thought, Feeling, or Behavior. Then, on the lines provided, briefly explain why you chose that component.

1. Scenario:
When Maya looked at her phone before the big game, her heart raced and she felt butterflies in her stomach.

Circle one: [ ] Thought [ ] Feeling [ ] Behavior

Explanation: Why did you choose this component?

2. Scenario:
Alex told himself, “I’ll never be able to run a mile in under eight minutes.”

Circle one: [ ] Thought [ ] Feeling [ ] Behavior

Explanation: Why did you choose this component?

3. Scenario:
To prepare for his class presentation, Jamal practiced speaking in front of the mirror for ten minutes.

Circle one: [ ] Thought [ ] Feeling [ ] Behavior

Explanation: Why did you choose this component?

Reminder: There are no “right” or “wrong” answers—this activity helps you notice how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors show up in everyday situations.

Quick Match Mental Health Terms

Objective: Reinforce key mental health vocabulary by matching terms to their definitions in a fast-paced, collaborative format.

Materials:

• Slide 4 from the Session 1 Slide Deck: What Is Mental Health? (or write on the whiteboard)
• Whiteboard and marker

Time: About 1.5 minutes

Instructions:

1. Display slide 4 (or write on the board) showing the five Terms and five Definitions in mixed order:
   • Terms: Stress • Resilience • Mood • Coping • Anxiety
   • Definitions (mixed order):
     1. How we bounce back after setbacks
     2. Our emotional state at a given time
     3. The process of managing difficult emotions
     4. Tension or pressure we experience
     5. Feeling worried or uneasy
2. Invite students to call out which term (by name) matches each numbered definition. Write their answers on the whiteboard.
3. Confirm each match and celebrate correct responses to keep energy high.
4. Once all five are matched, review the correct pairings:
   • Resilience → How we bounce back after setbacks
   • Mood → Our emotional state at a given time
   • Coping → The process of managing difficult emotions
   • Stress → Tension or pressure we experience
   • Anxiety → Feeling worried or uneasy

Follow-Up Prompt:

• Ask: “Which of these terms have you heard before? Can you share a time you experienced one of these?”
• Encourage a 30-second share to connect vocabulary to real life.