Hidden Voices Reading

Alex is in eighth grade. Lately, he has been hearing voices that no one else can hear. Sometimes the voices whisper mean things about him. Other times they argue loudly, making him feel scared and confused. He also sees shadows moving at the edge of his vision—shapes that vanish when he looks directly at them. These experiences leave Alex feeling alone, even when he is surrounded by friends and teachers at school.

At home, life is tense. Alex’s stepmother and father argue a lot, and they often blame him for the problems in their family. When he tries to explain the voices, they say he’s just making excuses. He wishes they would listen, but most nights he dreads going through the same angry words and slammed doors. Alex stays in his room, hoping if he keeps the TV on low, the noise will distract him from the voices in his head.

Despite everything, Alex does his best in class. He takes notes quickly, because he worries the voices might start up at any moment. Sometimes he finds comfort in drawing cartoons of imaginary worlds—places where the voices can’t follow. He uses art to express the things he can’t say out loud: how lonely he feels, how much he wishes someone could understand.

Alex was recently diagnosed with schizophrenia. His doctor explained that his brain is processing information differently, which can lead to hearing or seeing things that aren’t really there. Alex still doesn’t fully understand what this means for his future, but he is learning that he is not “broken” or “bad.” He is also discovering that talking to a counselor and taking medicine might help him feel more in control.

Alex hopes that one day people will look past the voices and the misunderstandings to see the real him. He dreams of a time when he can share his thoughts without fear of being blamed or ignored. Until then, Alex holds on to small moments of kindness—a teacher’s patient question, a friend’s quiet smile—and uses them as reminders that he is not alone.

Hidden Voices Reflection Worksheet

Use this worksheet during your small-group discussion after reading Hidden Voices Reading. Work together to answer the following questions.

Part 1: Identifying Emotions

1. What emotions do you think Alex is experiencing? List three emotions and explain briefly why you chose each.

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Part 2: Home Life Impact

2. How might Alex’s tense home environment (blame, arguments) affect his mental well-being and daily life at school? Provide specific examples.

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Part 3: Emotion Vocabulary Matching

3. Choose two words from the Emotion Vocabulary Cards that best match how Alex feels. Explain why you selected each word.

   • Word 1: ____________________
   Explanation:

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   • Word 2: ____________________
   Explanation:

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Part 4: Supportive Strategies

4. Brainstorm three strategies that classmates or friends could use to help Alex feel understood and supported. Use ideas from the Supporting Peers Poster if helpful.

   1. Strategy 1:
      Description:

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   2. Strategy 2:
      Description:

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   3. Strategy 3:
      Description:

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Be prepared to share one key insight from your group with the whole class!

Emotion Vocabulary Cards

Use these cards to help identify and discuss feelings accurately. Cut out or display the cards during activities. Choose words that best describe what Alex might be experiencing.

Use these cards when discussing Alex’s story. Refer to the definitions to choose the word that best matches how he might feel.

Supporting Peers Poster

Use this poster to collect and display ways we can support classmates like Alex. When your group shares a strategy, write it in the next available slot and explain why it helps.

Strategy 1: _______________________________


Why it helps: _______________________________

Strategy 2: _______________________________


Why it helps: _______________________________

Strategy 3: _______________________________


Why it helps: _______________________________

Strategy 4: _______________________________


Why it helps: _______________________________

Strategy 5: _______________________________


Why it helps: _______________________________

Feel free to add more strategies below as needed!

Reflection Exit Ticket

Please take a moment to answer the following before you leave:

1. One thing I learned today about mental health and empathy:

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2. Choose one emotion word from the Emotion Vocabulary Cards that best describes Alex’s experience and explain why:

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3. Name one supportive strategy from the Supporting Peers Poster you will try with a friend, and describe how you will use it:

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Personal Coping Plan

Use this worksheet to build a personalized plan for managing voices and difficult emotions. Fill in each section as honestly and fully as you can.

Part 1: Recognizing Voices & Emotions

1. Describe the voices or thoughts you hear when you feel upset or stressed. What do they say?

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2. How do these voices or thoughts make you feel (e.g., scared, angry, confused)? List up to three emotions.

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Part 2: Identifying Triggers

Think about what typically happens before the voices start or your emotions spike. List at least three triggers.

Part 3: Coping Strategies Toolbox

Below are some strategies you might try. Pick three that feel most helpful, then plan how you will use them.

• Deep Breathing (inhale for 4 counts, hold, exhale for 6 counts)
• Grounding (name 5 things you see, 4 things you feel)
• Drawing or Coloring
• Listening to Music
• Positive Self-Talk (use reassuring phrases)
• Journaling
• Physical Movement (walk, stretch)

Strategy 1: _____________________________
How I will use it:

Strategy 2: _____________________________
How I will use it:

Strategy 3: _____________________________
How I will use it:

Part 4: Step-by-Step Action Plan

Write out a clear sequence of steps to follow when you notice voices or overwhelming feelings.

1. Notice: What will you pay attention to?

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2. Pause: How will you stop and collect yourself?

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3. Choose: Which coping strategy from your toolbox will you try first?

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4. Follow Through: What will you do next if the first strategy doesn’t help?

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5. Check In: How will you know if you’re feeling calmer?

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Part 5: Support Network

List people you can reach out to when you need extra help. Include their name and how you will contact them.

1. Name: ___________________________ Role (e.g., parent, friend, counselor): ______________
   Contact (phone, text, in person): _________________________________________
   
   
   
2. Name: ___________________________ Role: _______________________________
   Contact: ______________________________________________
   
   
   
3. Name: ___________________________ Role: _______________________________
   Contact: ______________________________________________
   
   
   
   

Part 6: Reflection & Next Steps

1. After using your plan, what worked well?

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2. What would you adjust next time?

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Keep this plan somewhere you can see it. Update it whenever you discover new strategies or supports.