Lesson Plan
Support Network Plan
Students will identify and map their personal support networks and practice asking for help through role-play, fostering confidence in outreach and community building.
By visualizing and naming their supports, seniors strengthen mental health resilience and learn clear help-seeking communication—key skills for navigating end-of-year stress and future challenges.
Audience
12th Grade Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive network mapping, role-play scenarios, and reflective journaling.
Prep
Preparation
10 minutes
- Review Support System Slides to ensure smooth presentation
- Print or upload copies of Network Mapping Sheet for each student
- Prepare digital or printed Role-Play Asking for Help Guide with scenarios and talking-points
- Print journals or set up devices for Gratitude Reflection Journal
- Arrange seating in pairs for role-play activities
Step 1
Introduction & Objective
5 minutes
- Welcome students and state the lesson goal: mapping support networks and practicing help-seeking
- Explain relevance to mental health awareness and senior-year stress management
- Establish confidentiality and respectful listening norms
Step 2
Support System Slides Presentation
10 minutes
- Project Support System Slides
- Define categories: family, friends, mentors, professionals, community resources
- Ask students to share quick examples of who they rely on in each category
- Emphasize diversity of support and not being limited to a single person
Step 3
Network Mapping Activity
10 minutes
- Distribute Network Mapping Sheet
- Instruct students to list names/roles under each support category
- Encourage them to identify at least 3–5 people per category
- Circulate to prompt deeper thinking and answer questions
Step 4
Role-Play Asking for Help
10 minutes
- Pair up students and hand out the Role-Play Asking for Help Guide
- Each student practices requesting help in two realistic scenarios
- Peer listens actively and offers supportive responses
- After first round, partners switch roles
- Teacher observes and offers feedback on communication strategies
Step 5
Gratitude Reflection
5 minutes
- Distribute the Gratitude Reflection Journal
- Prompt students to write a thank-you note or reflection to one network member
- Encourage specificity: what help did they receive and how it made a difference
Step 6
Wrap-Up & Next Steps
5 minutes
- Invite 2–3 volunteers to share insights or planned help-seeking actions
- Summarize key takeaways: importance of diverse support and clear requests
- Explain how teacher will review journals and follow up individually
- Encourage students to reach out to at least one person from their map this week
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Slide Deck
Who Holds Your Steady?
An introduction to understanding and building your personal support system
Mental Health Awareness Month • 12th Grade • 45 Minutes
Welcome students and introduce today’s session titled 'Who Holds Your Steady?'. Explain that over the next 45 minutes they will explore what a support network is, why it matters to mental health and senior-year stress management, and begin mapping their own networks.
Why Support Networks Matter
• Increase resilience during challenging times
• Reduce stress and boost confidence
• Foster a sense of belonging and community
• Provide practical and emotional help when you need it
Emphasize the link between strong support systems and well-being. Share a brief statistic or anecdote about how reaching out reduces stress.
What Is a Support Network?
A support network is the group of people and resources you rely on for help, guidance, and encouragement.
It can include family, friends, mentors, professionals, and community organizations.
Define 'support network' clearly. Use a real‐life quick scenario (e.g., preparing for college applications) to illustrate how different people can help.
Key Categories of Support
• Family (parents, siblings, extended family)
• Friends (classmates, teammates)
• Mentors (teachers, coaches, advisors)
• Professionals (counselors, therapists, medical providers)
• Community Resources (youth groups, hotlines, faith organizations)
Display each category one at a time. Invite students to call out examples from their own lives. Keep the pace brisk.
Examples in Each Category
Family: Aunt Maria who listens when I’m stressed
Friends: Carlos, my soccer teammate who checks in daily
Mentors: Mr. Lee, my college counselor
Professionals: School counselor Ms. Rivera
Community: Local youth center program
Offer a quick modeled example: “My mentor example: Ms. Johnson, my chemistry teacher who helps me study.” Ask one volunteer to share an example from their network.
Reflect Before You Map
Take 60 seconds to think quietly about who in your life fits each category:
• Who supports you at home?
• Who do you turn to among friends?
• Which teacher or coach mentors you?
• Who are the professionals you rely on?
• What community resource do you know?
Pause for silent reflection. Prompt students to think of at least one person per category. After one minute, remind them that these names will go on their mapping sheet.
Next Step: Network Mapping Activity
Grab your Network Mapping Sheet and a pen.
Spend the next 10 minutes listing names under each support category.
I’ll circulate to answer questions and offer prompts.
Explain logistics for the next activity. Ensure each student has a mapping sheet and pen. Transition smoothly by handing out materials.
Worksheet
Network Mapping Sheet
Instructions
Write down at least 3–5 people or resources under each category. Think about who supports you in each area.
Family
Friends
Mentors
Professionals
Community Resources
Activity
Role-Play Asking for Help Guide
Overview (10 minutes)
In this activity, students pair up to practice asking for help in realistic, relatable scenarios. Each student takes turns being the Requester (the one who needs support) and the Supporter (the listener offering help). Focus on clear communication, empathy, and specific help-seeking language.
Roles
• Requester: Shares a personal challenge and clearly asks for what they need.
• Supporter: Listens actively, asks clarifying questions, and offers concrete assistance or resources.
Instructions
- Pair Up: Find a partner and decide who will start as the Requester.
- Pick a Scenario: Choose one of the scenarios below.
- Role-Play (3 minutes each):
a. Requester explains their situation and asks for help.
b. Supporter responds with active listening, clarifying questions, and offers support. - Switch Roles: After 3 minutes, swap roles and select a new scenario.
- Debrief: Spend 2 minutes discussing what communication strategies worked well.
Scenarios
- College Essay Feedback
You’re drafting your personal statement for college. You feel stuck on your introduction and worry it sounds generic. Ask a peer for specific feedback and tips to make it more engaging. - Managing Senior-Year Stress
You’ve been feeling overwhelmed by deadlines, extracurriculars, and college applications. Reach out to a trusted friend or family member to talk through what’s on your plate and ask for emotional support or time-management advice. - Seeking Academic Help
You’re struggling with a math concept that’s vital for your upcoming exam. Approach a teacher or tutor and request a study session focused on that topic.
Conversation Prompts
For Requesters
- “I’m feeling __________ because __________. Could you help me by __________?”
- “I’d really appreciate it if you could __________.”
- “Would you be willing to __________?”
For Supporters
- “Tell me more about __________.”
- “It sounds like you need __________. How can I best support you?”
- “Here’s what I can do: __________. Does that help?”
Debrief Questions (2 minutes)
- What phrasing or approach helped you communicate your needs most clearly?
- As a Supporter, what listening skills or responses felt most effective?
- How might you apply these strategies in real life this week?
Return the guide to the teacher for feedback, and encourage students to use at least one help-seeking strategy from today’s role-play before the end of the week.
Journal
Gratitude Reflection Journal
Thanking someone in your support network helps strengthen your connections and reminds you of the resources you have. Use these prompts to reflect and write a heartfelt note.
1. Who are you choosing to thank, and why?
2. Describe a specific moment when this person supported you. What did they do, and how did it help?
3. How did their support make you feel in that moment?
4. In what ways might expressing gratitude to this person strengthen your relationship and your overall support network?
5. Write a personal thank-you note or message to this person. Be specific about what you appreciate.