Lesson Plan
One-on-One Risk Assessment Guide
Guide a 9th-grader through a structured 30-minute session to identify personal risk factors, protective factors, and triggers, then collaboratively develop a personalized safety plan.
Helps students gain self-awareness of factors affecting their well-being, empowers them with coping strategies, and fosters resilience through a personalized safety blueprint.
Audience
9th Grade Student
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Guided one-on-one discussions and reflective exercises
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the One-on-One Risk Assessment Guide thoroughly to understand session flow
- Load or print the Personal Risk Profile Slide Deck for guided prompts
- Print copies of the Trigger Tracker Worksheet
- Prepare templates for the Personal Safety Blueprint Project
- Set up a private, comfortable space to ensure confidentiality
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Welcome the student warmly and establish rapport
- Explain the purpose: to understand personal risks, supports, and create a safety plan
- Emphasize confidentiality and collaborative nature of the session
- Ask an opening question about how they’re feeling today
Step 2
Identify Risk Factors
8 minutes
- Display slides from the Personal Risk Profile Slide Deck
- Ask about recent stressors in school, home, or social life
- Explore emotional warning signs (e.g., sadness, anger) and physical signals (e.g., headaches, trouble sleeping)
- Note key risk factors on the profile template for discussion
Step 3
Identify Protective Factors
6 minutes
- Continue with the next section of the Personal Risk Profile Slide Deck
- Ask about supportive relationships, coping skills, and personal strengths
- Encourage the student to reflect on past successes and positive activities
- Document protective factors to balance the risk profile
Step 4
Identify Triggers
5 minutes
- Provide the Trigger Tracker Worksheet to the student
- Guide them to list recent events, feelings, or thoughts that triggered distress
- Discuss any patterns in timing, people involved, or settings
- Highlight top 2–3 triggers to monitor going forward
Step 5
Develop Safety Plan
6 minutes
- Introduce the Personal Safety Blueprint Project
- Collaborate to list coping strategies and self-care steps for each identified trigger
- Identify emergency contacts (friends, family, counselors) and support resources
- Agree on clear next steps and how to use the safety plan when in crisis
- Wrap up by reviewing the completed blueprint and scheduling a follow-up check-in
Slide Deck
Personal Risk Profile
Today, we’ll explore factors that challenge you and those that help you stay strong.
• What stressors have you noticed recently?
• What resources or strengths help you cope?
Welcome the student and explain the purpose of this deck: to explore personal risk and protective factors. Establish rapport and set a supportive tone.
Identifying Risk Factors
Reflect on times you felt overwhelmed or at risk:
• Recent stressors at school, home, or with friends
• Emotional warning signs (e.g., sadness, anger, irritability)
• Physical signals (e.g., headaches, trouble sleeping)
Prompt the student to share specific recent stressors. Use open‐ended questions to draw out thoughts on emotions and physical signs.
Identifying Protective Factors
Think about what keeps you going during tough times:
• Supportive relationships (family, friends, mentors)
• Coping skills and personal strengths
• Past successes and activities that uplift you
Guide the student to recognize their supports. Ask for examples of people, skills, and activities that boost their resilience.
Reflect & Connect
How do these factors interact?
• Which risk factors feel strongest right now?
• Which protective factors can you lean on most?
• Where could you add more support or self-care?
Encourage the student to connect the dots between risks and protections. Foster insight into how bolstering strengths can mitigate risks.
Next Steps
Up next, we’ll:
- Track specific triggers that cause distress.
- Develop coping strategies and a clear safety plan.
Let’s move on to the Trigger Tracker Worksheet.
Prepare the student for the next phase: tracking triggers and building their safety plan. Explain how this will guide the rest of the session.
Worksheet
Trigger Tracker Worksheet
Instructions:
Use this worksheet to track situations that triggered strong emotions or distress. Complete each entry as soon as possible after the event. Over time, review your responses to notice patterns and plan better coping strategies.
Entry 1
Date: __________
Time: __________
Trigger/Event: __________
Context (Who was there? Where were you?): __________
Feelings & Physical Reactions: __________
Coping Strategy Used: __________
Effectiveness (0 = not at all, 10 = very effective): ________
What might help next time? __________
Entry 2
Date: __________
Time: __________
Trigger/Event: __________
Context (Who was there? Where were you?): __________
Feelings & Physical Reactions: __________
Coping Strategy Used: __________
Effectiveness (0 = not at all, 10 = very effective): ________
What might help next time? __________
Entry 3
Date: __________
Time: __________
Trigger/Event: __________
Context (Who was there? Where were you?): __________
Feelings & Physical Reactions: __________
Coping Strategy Used: __________
Effectiveness (0 = not at all, 10 = very effective): ________
What might help next time? __________
Once you’ve completed these entries, share them in our next check-in. Identify any recurring triggers or strategies that work well, and we’ll adjust your safety plan accordingly.
Project Guide
Personal Safety Blueprint
Purpose: Create a personalized, easy-to-follow plan that outlines your risk factors, protective factors, triggers, coping strategies, and support contacts. Use this blueprint whenever you feel at risk or need guidance on staying safe and well.
1. My Risk & Protective Profile
Risk Factors: Situations, feelings, or thoughts that make me feel overwhelmed or unsafe.
-
- __________
- __________
-
- __________
- __________
-
- __________
- __________
Protective Factors: People, skills, activities, or resources that help me cope and stay resilient.
-
- __________
- __________
-
- __________
- __________
-
- __________
- __________
(Tip: Refer back to your completed Personal Risk Profile)
2. Key Triggers & Coping Strategies
Use insights from your Trigger Tracker Worksheet to fill out this table.
| Trigger/Event | Coping Strategy | When & How to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| 1. __________ | __________ | __________ |
| 2. __________ | __________ | __________ |
| 3. __________ | __________ | __________ |
(Leave extra rows blank to add more triggers later.)
3. Emergency & Support Contacts
List people or services you can reach out to when you need immediate help or support.
| Name | Relationship/Role | Contact Info | How They Can Help |
|---|---|---|---|
| __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
(Include friends, family, school counselor, crisis lines, etc.)
4. Action Steps & Monitoring
Outline clear steps to follow when you notice warning signs or feel at risk.
- Step 1: ________________________________________________
- Step 2: ________________________________________________
- Step 3: ________________________________________________
Check-In Plan: Decide how and when you’ll review this blueprint (e.g., weekly with counselor).
- Method: ________________________________________________
- Frequency: _____________________________________________
5. Reflection & Next Steps
What’s working well?
What could be improved?
Next Check-In Date: __________
When you’re ready, share this blueprint with your counselor or trusted adult and schedule your next check-in.