Lesson Plan
The Power of Service: Impact on Wellbeing
How service can impact wellbeing
This lesson will introduce students to the concept of how engaging in service can impact their own and others' wellbeing. This is important as it helps students understand the positive effects of altruism on mental health and community building.
Audience
14 year olds
Time
40 minutes
Approach
Experiential Learning, Game-Based Learning, Active Learning
Materials
Video: 'How to Help Someone Struggling With Their Mental Health', Discussion guide, Activity instructions, Worksheet, and Answer Key
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Welcome the students and introduce the topic of the lesson: the impact of service on wellbeing.
- Ask students to briefly share any experiences they have had with volunteering or helping others.
Step 2
Video Viewing
6 minutes
- Show the video 'How to Help Someone Struggling With Their Mental Health'.
Step 3
Discussion
8 minutes
- Lead a class discussion using guiding questions from the discussion attachment.
- Encourage students to think about and share how helping others can also help themselves feel better.
Step 4
Activity
10 minutes
- Divide the class into small groups.
- Give each group a scenario where someone is in need of help (provided in the activity instructions attachment).
- Each group should discuss the scenario and come up with a plan of how they would provide assistance and how this might benefit their own wellbeing.
Step 5
Worksheet Completion
8 minutes
- Distribute the worksheets.
- Have students individually complete the worksheets, reflecting on what they learned from the video, discussion, and activity.
Step 6
Closure
3 minutes
- Summarize the key points of the lesson.
- Ask a few students to share their answers from the worksheet.
- Thank the students for their participation and encourage them to think about how they can incorporate service into their daily lives.
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Discussion
How Service Impacts Wellbeing
This discussion will help students explore the positive effects of service on their wellbeing.
How did helping someone else make you feel during the video?
Encourage students to reflect on their emotions after seeing examples of service.
Can you think of a time when you helped someone else and it made you feel good? Share your experience.
Guide students to connect personal experiences with the positive impact of service.
Why do you think helping others can improve your own mental health?
Discuss the psychological effects of altruism and community support.
How can regular service or volunteering contribute to community wellbeing?
Encourage students to think about the broader impact of service on the community.
Worksheet
Scenarios for Service
These cards provide different scenarios where someone needs help. Students will discuss in groups how they would offer help and how it could benefit their own wellbeing.
Scenario 1: Your elderly neighbor needs help with grocery shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scenario 2: A friend is feeling overwhelmed with schoolwork and needs some support.
Scenario 3: A local park needs volunteers to help clean up litter after a community event.
Scenario 4: Your younger sibling is struggling with a subject in school and could use some tutoring.
Worksheet
Reflecting on Service and Wellbeing
This worksheet will guide students to reflect on how service can impact wellbeing. They will use insights from the video, discussion, and activity to answer the questions.
What are two things you learned from the video on how to help someone struggling with their mental health?
How did the discussion give you new insights on the positive effects of service?
Describe one of the scenarios your group discussed. How did you decide to help and how might this improve your mental wellbeing?
Give one example of how you can incorporate service into your own life. How do you think it will benefit you and others?
Answer Key
Reflecting on Service and Wellbeing
Answer key with sample answers to the worksheet questions.
What are two things you learned from the video on how to help someone struggling with their mental health?
Active listening and offering to accompany someone to support groups or appointments.
Sample answers should reflect understanding the importance of active listening and practical ways to offer support.
How did the discussion give you new insights on the positive effects of service?
The discussion highlighted how helping others can boost my mood and create a sense of connection.
Answers should show reflection on the shared ideas and perspectives during the discussion.
Describe one of the scenarios your group discussed. How did you decide to help and how might this improve your mental wellbeing?
For Scenario 1, we decided to help with grocery shopping which made us feel useful and connected to our community.
Answers should describe the chosen scenario and link the planned help to wellbeing benefits.
Give one example of how you can incorporate service into your own life. How do you think it will benefit you and others?
It will allow me to help those in need and give me a sense of purpose and satisfaction.
Answers should demonstrate personal reflection and understanding of service's dual benefits.