Lesson Plan
Reach Out: You Matter
Students will be able to recognize warning signs of suicidal thoughts, understand the importance of seeking help for themselves or others, and identify trusted adults and resources available to them.
Suicide prevention is a critical life skill. This lesson empowers students to act as supportive peers and advocates for their own mental well-being, fostering a culture of care and reducing stigma around mental health challenges.
Audience
7th Grade Students
Time
15 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and direct instruction on recognizing signs and seeking help.
Materials
- Reach Out: You Matter Slide Deck, - Reach Out: You Matter Script, - Chart paper or whiteboard, and - Markers/pens
Prep
Review Materials and Set Up
5 minutes
- Review the Reach Out: You Matter Lesson Plan and all linked materials.
- Ensure the Reach Out: You Matter Slide Deck is ready to display.
- Have chart paper or a whiteboard and markers/pens available for jotting down trusted adults/resources.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Check-In (2 minutes)
2 minutes
- Begin by asking students, 'How do you know when a friend is having a tough time?' Encourage a few quick responses.
- Transition by saying, 'Sometimes, a tough time can feel overwhelming. Today, we're going to talk about how we can support ourselves and our friends when things get really hard.'
Step 2
Introduction: Why This Matters (3 minutes)
3 minutes
- Display Slide 2: Why This Matters
- Explain that this is a safe space to talk about difficult topics and that their well-being is important.
- Use the Reach Out: You Matter Script to guide the discussion on the importance of mental health and suicide prevention.
Step 3
Recognizing Warning Signs (4 minutes)
4 minutes
- Display Slide 3: Warning Signs and Slide 4: More Warning Signs
- Briefly discuss common warning signs, emphasizing that these are changes in behavior, not just a bad mood. (Refer to Reach Out: You Matter Script)
- Reinforce that it's not their job to diagnose, but to recognize when something seems off.
Step 4
The Power of Reaching Out (4 minutes)
4 minutes
- Display Slide 5: The Power of Reaching Out and Slide 6: Who Can You Talk To?
- Emphasize that reaching out is a sign of strength and that help is available.
- Ask students to brainstorm trusted adults in their lives (teachers, parents, counselors, coaches, etc.) and write them on the board/chart paper.
- Introduce school counselors, nurses, or other specific school resources.
- Briefly mention national hotlines (e.g., 988) as a critical resource.
Step 5
Cool-Down: One Action (2 minutes)
2 minutes
- Display Slide 7: Your One Action
- Ask students to silently think of one trusted adult they could talk to if they or a friend needed help.
- Reiterate the main message: 'You are not alone, and help is available. Reaching out saves lives.'
- Thank students for their participation.
Slide Deck
Reach Out: You Matter
Understanding Warning Signs and Finding Help
Your well-being matters. Always.
Welcome students and introduce the topic in a supportive, non-judgmental way. Emphasize that this is a safe space.
Why This Matters
Life can be tough, and sometimes feelings can be really overwhelming. It's important to know that:
- You are not alone. Many people experience difficult emotions.
- It's okay to not be okay. Your feelings are valid.
- Help is available. There are people who care and want to support you.
- Talking about it can save lives.
Explain why this topic is important for everyone. Normalize talking about difficult feelings.
Recognizing Warning Signs: How Feelings Change
Sometimes, when someone is struggling deeply, their feelings and behaviors might change. It's like their brain is sending out a signal that they need help.
Warning signs related to feelings can include:
- Extreme sadness or hopelessness for a long time
- Feeling irritable or angry more often than usual
- Loss of interest in things they used to enjoy
- Feeling anxious or agitated
- Talking about feeling trapped or like there's no way out
Introduce the idea of warning signs. Stress that these are changes in usual behavior or feelings. Encourage empathy, not judgment.
Recognizing Warning Signs: How Actions Change
Warning signs related to actions can include:
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Changes in eating or sleeping habits (too much or too little)
- Giving away prized possessions
- Talking about dying, wanting to disappear, or ending their life
- Engaging in risky or self-destructive behaviors
- Suddenly seeming calm or peaceful after a period of intense distress (this can sometimes be a sign they've made a decision to harm themselves)
Continue with behavioral warning signs. Reiterate that students are not expected to be therapists, just observant, caring friends.
The Power of Reaching Out
If you notice these signs in yourself or a friend, the most important thing to do is reach out for help.
- It shows strength and courage to ask for support.
- You don't have to carry burdens alone.
- You can make a difference for a friend by encouraging them to seek help, or by telling a trusted adult yourself.
Shift to the positive action: reaching out. Emphasize it's a sign of strength.
Who Can You Talk To?
There are many trusted adults and resources available to help:
At School:
- Your advisory teacher
- School counselor or psychologist
- School nurse
- Another teacher or staff member you trust
At Home/In Your Community:
- Parents or guardians
- Another trusted family member
- Coach or religious leader
- Doctor
Always Available:
- Call or Text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Remember: If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Provide concrete examples of who students can talk to. Make it practical and actionable for them.
Your One Action
Think about one trusted adult you would reach out to if you or a friend needed help.
Take a moment to write their name down in your mind.
You are important. Your friends are important. Let's look out for each other.
Conclude with a powerful, actionable message. Allow for quiet reflection.
Script
Reach Out: You Matter Script
Warm-Up: Check-In (2 minutes)
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone. To start our advisory today, I want you to think for a moment: How do you know when a friend is having a tough time? What are some things you might notice?"
(Allow 1-2 students to share brief responses. Acknowledge their observations.)
"That's right, sometimes it's obvious, and sometimes it's harder to tell. Sometimes, a tough time can feel really overwhelming for someone. Today, we're going to talk about how we can support ourselves and our friends when things get really hard, especially when those feelings become very serious."
Introduction: Why This Matters (3 minutes)
(Display Slide 2: Why This Matters)
"I know this can be a difficult topic to talk about, but it's an incredibly important one. Our advisory class is a safe space, and your well-being, and the well-being of your friends, is so important to me and to our school community. We're going to talk about suicide prevention, which means helping ourselves and others stay safe and get help when we're in pain."
"Please know that you are not alone if you or someone you know is struggling. It's okay to not be okay, and there is always help available. Talking about these feelings can truly save lives."
Recognizing Warning Signs (4 minutes)
(Display Slide 3: Recognizing Warning Signs: How Feelings Change)
"Just like when our body gets sick, our minds can also get sick, and they send us signals. We call these signals 'warning signs.' These aren't just everyday bad moods, but often a significant change in how someone usually feels or acts."
"Take a look at these first few signs related to feelings. If someone is feeling really sad or hopeless for a long time, more irritable than usual, or losing interest in things they once loved, these could be signals that they need help. It's like their emotional battery is completely drained."
(Display Slide 4: Recognizing Warning Signs: How Actions Change)
"Now, let's look at how actions might change. Someone might start pulling away from friends and family, changing their eating or sleeping habits, or even giving away things that are important to them. Most seriously, they might start talking about wanting to disappear, ending their life, or feeling trapped."
"It's not your job to be a doctor or a therapist. Your job, as a caring friend and member of our community, is to notice when something seems really 'off' with someone you care about, or even with yourself. If you see or hear these kinds of changes, especially if they are happening together, it's a sign that serious help is needed."
The Power of Reaching Out (4 minutes)
(Display Slide 5: The Power of Reaching Out)
"So, what do you do if you notice these signs in yourself or a friend? The most powerful thing you can do is reach out for help. It takes incredible strength and courage to ask for support, and it's never a burden. You don't have to carry heavy feelings alone."
"For a friend, reaching out could mean encouraging them to talk to an adult, or if you're really worried, telling a trusted adult yourself. Remember, you might be the person who helps save a life."
(Display Slide 6: Who Can You Talk To?)
"Let's brainstorm together. Who are some trusted adults you could talk to if you or a friend needed help? Think about adults both at school and outside of school."
(As students share, write down their suggestions on the chart paper/whiteboard. Ensure school counselors, nurses, teachers, and parents/guardians are mentioned. Add the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Crisis Text Line if not brought up.)
"Excellent ideas! It's so important to have these people in mind. Never feel like you're betraying a friend by getting them help when they are in danger. Keeping quiet can be much more harmful than speaking up. And if you are the one struggling, please know that any of these people would want to help you."
Cool-Down: Your One Action (2 minutes)
(Display Slide 7: Your One Action)
"As we wrap up today, I want each of you to silently think of one trusted adult you would reach out to if you or a friend needed help. Hold their name in your mind. This is your personal safety net."
"Always remember: You are important. You matter. Your friends are important. Let's look out for each other and promise to reach out when things get tough. Help is always available. Thank you for being so thoughtful today."