Step-by-Step Facilitation Guide

Welcome & Framework Overview (5 minutes)

Teacher says:
“Good morning, everyone! Today, we’re going to learn a six‐step process called the THRIVE Toolkit. These steps—Tune In, Hope, Reflect, Integrate, Visualize, and Execute—are designed to help you notice what’s going on inside you, turn challenges into goals, and practice strategies to boost your mental wellness daily. By the end of this session, you’ll have hands‐on experience with each step and a plan you can use starting tomorrow.”

Follow-up prompts:

• “What does mental wellness mean to you?”
• “Can anyone share a time when noticing your feelings helped you make a good choice?”

Teacher continues:
“Here’s how today will work: we’ve set up three stations around the room. Station A covers Tune In and Hope, Station B covers Reflect and Integrate, and Station C covers Visualize and Execute. You’ll spend ten minutes at each station, working with a small group to discuss prompts and record your ideas. I’ll give a signal when it’s time to rotate. Afterward, we’ll come back together to debrief, and then you’ll complete a short reflection to plan your next step.”

Check for understanding:

• “Any questions about the six steps or how the rotations will work?”

Station Rotations (30 minutes total; 10 minutes per station)

Station A: Tune In & Hope

Teacher script at first rotation signal:
“Welcome to Station A! For Tune In, go around your group and share one word that describes how you feel right now. Feel free to explain why you chose that word. Then, for Hope, brainstorm two small goals you’d like to achieve this week—things you can realistically do in the next few days.”

Facilitation questions:

• “What physical sensations come up when you feel that way?”
• “Why did you pick that goal, and how will it help you feel more hopeful?”

After 5 minutes, signal:
“Great work—wrap up your last thought, then get ready to rotate.”

Station B: Reflect & Integrate

Teacher script:
“Welcome to Station B. For Reflect, think about a time you handled stress well. What happened, and what did you learn about yourself? Write a short description. Next, for Integrate, use the insights from Tune In, Hope, and Reflect to come up with two coping strategies you could add to your routine.”

Facilitation prompts:

• “How did your body or mind respond in that stressful moment?”
• “Which insight can you turn into a concrete habit?”

After 5 minutes, signal rotation.

Station C: Visualize & Execute

Teacher script:
“Welcome to Station C. First, Visualize: close your eyes for a moment and imagine yourself using one coping strategy when you feel stressed. Notice details: where you are, how you feel, what you’re doing. Then, for Execute, write down one specific action you will take tomorrow, including when and where you’ll do it.”

Facilitation questions:

• “What did you notice in your visualization? How did it feel?”
• “Is your action SMART—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound?”

After 5 minutes, signal rotation. Continue until all groups have visited each station.

Group Debrief (15 minutes)

Teacher says:
“Let’s come back together. I’d like one representative from each station group to share your biggest insight or challenge.”

Debrief structure:

1. Station A rep: “What did you learn from Tune In and Hope?”
   • Follow-up: “Why is it important to notice how you feel before setting a goal?”
2. Station B rep: “What stood out in Reflect and Integrate?”
   • Follow-up: “How can integrating past lessons help you handle new challenges?”
3. Station C rep: “What was powerful about Visualize and your Execute plan?”
   • Follow-up: “How does picturing success help you follow through?”

Connecting across steps:

• “I noticed a theme of self-awareness—how did Tune In inform your Execute plan?”
• “What strategies can you combine from different steps to support each other?”

Individual Reflection & Action Planning (10 minutes)

Teacher says:
“Now, take a Step Reflection Page and journal your responses. First, write which THRIVE step resonated with you the most and why. Next, identify one concrete action you will practice tomorrow, specifying when and where you’ll do it. Feel free to refer back to your station notes.”

Writing time: 5 minutes

After writing:
“Who would like to volunteer their action plan? Sharing can help us all stay accountable.”

Collect pages if you wish to provide feedback or revisit in a future session.

Closing prompt:

• “How do you feel after planning your first THRIVE action?”
• “What support do you need to make sure you follow through?”

Thank students for their participation and encourage them to notice how applying THRIVE steps affects their stress and resilience in the coming days.

THRIVE Group Stations

Use these printable station cards at each table. Students work together to discuss and record responses for paired THRIVE steps.

Station A: Tune In & Hope

Step 1: Tune In
Definition: Notice your current thoughts, feelings, and body sensations.

Prompt: Share one word that describes how you feel right now. Then explain why you chose that word.

Step 2: Hope
Definition: Focus on positive outcomes and set intentions.

Prompt: Write down two small goals you hope to achieve this week. Make sure they’re realistic and uplifting.

Station B: Reflect & Integrate

Step 3: Reflect
Definition: Learn from past successes and challenges.

Prompt: Identify a situation where you managed stress effectively. Describe what happened and one lesson you learned.

Step 4: Integrate
Definition: Combine insights from Tune In, Hope, and Reflect into a plan.

Prompt: Brainstorm two coping strategies you can integrate into your daily routine. Explain how each strategy connects to your earlier reflections.

1. Strategy: ____________________________
   Why this works: ____________________________________________________

1. Strategy: ____________________________
   Why this works: ____________________________________________________

Station C: Visualize & Execute

Step 5: Visualize
Definition: Use mental imagery to practice coping strategies.

Prompt: Close your eyes and imagine yourself using one of your new coping strategies during a stressful moment. Describe what you saw, heard, and felt.

Step 6: Execute
Definition: Translate your plan into concrete actions.

Prompt: List one specific action you will take tomorrow. Be sure to include when, where, and how you will do it (make it SMART).

Action: ________________________________________________________________

When & Where: __________________________________________________________

How (details): __________________________________________________________

Step Reflection Pages

Use this journal to reflect on the THRIVE step that resonated with you most and to plan a concrete action for tomorrow.

Part 1: Reflect on Your Chosen Step

1. Which THRIVE step resonated with you the most, and why?

1. In your own words, describe the main idea of this step.

1. What new insight or learning did you gain from this step during today’s session?

Part 2: Plan Your Next Action

1. What specific action will you take tomorrow based on your reflection? Be as detailed as possible.

1. When and where will you carry out this action?

1. What obstacles might get in your way, and how will you overcome them?

1. Who can support you in this action, and how will you ask for their help?

1. How do you anticipate feeling after completing this action?

When you’re finished, consider sharing your action plan with a partner or the group to help stay accountable and supported in your THRIVE journey!