Lesson Plan
Facilitator Guide and Safety Considerations
Students will identify personal internal and external stressors, practice box breathing regulation, understand suicidal ideation and warning signs, and use Acknowledge–Care–Tell to list trusted adults/resources and personalize a Lifeline Card.
Adolescents face various stressors and may not know healthy coping or help-seeking strategies. This lesson builds self-awareness, emotional regulation, and confidence in reaching out when in crisis.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Review Materials and Safety Protocols
10 minutes
Step 1
Pre-Check and Establish Safety Norms
5 minutes
Step 2
Define Stress and One-Word Check-In
5 minutes
Step 3
Box Breathing Practice and Stress Mapping
10 minutes
Step 4
Suicidal Ideation, Warning Signs, and Acknowledge–Care–Tell
15 minutes
Step 5
Lifeline Card Personalization and Grounding Exit Ticket
10 minutes
Slide Deck
Stress and Support Essentials
Stress vs. Stressor
Fight–Flight–Freeze Response
Box Breathing Technique
Suicidal Ideation
Warning Signs of Suicidal Thinking
Acknowledge–Care–Tell (ACT)
Getting Help
Key Takeaways & Next Steps
Warm Up
Quiz
2-Minute Pre/Post Pulse Check (5 Items)
Answer Key
Activity
Worksheet
Discussion
Script
Journal
Cool Down
