Your Mind Matters! Script

Warm-Up: How Are You, Really? (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon everyone. Let's start today with a quick personal check-in. I've handed out a short paper. On it, I'd like you to answer one question for yourself: On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being 'feeling great' and 5 being 'really struggling,' how are you feeling today? And then, just one word to describe why you feel that way. This is for you, and you alone. You don't need to share your answer unless you want to later. Take about two minutes for this."

Teacher: "Thank you for taking that moment for yourselves. Hold onto those for a bit. We're going to talk today about something really important that affects all of us, even if we don't always realize it: our mental health."

Introduction: Your Mind Matters! (5 minutes)

(Display Your Mind Matters! Slide Deck - Slide 1: "Your Mind Matters!")

Teacher: "When we talk about health, what often comes to mind first? Usually, it's things like eating healthy, exercising, not getting sick – our physical health, right? But just like we have physical health, we all have something called mental health. It's about how we think, how we feel, and how we act. It affects how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. It’s a part of our overall well-being."

(Display Your Mind Matters! Slide Deck - Slide 2: "Why Talk About It?")

Teacher: "So, why is it important to talk about mental health? Sometimes, people think it's something we should keep secret, or that it's a sign of weakness if we're struggling. But that's absolutely not true. Everyone, and I mean everyone, experiences ups and downs with their mental health. It's okay to not be okay. Talking about our feelings and what's going on in our minds helps us understand ourselves better, and it helps us get help when we need it. Seeking help is actually a sign of incredible strength, not weakness. It means you're taking charge of your well-being."

Understanding Depression and Suicide Prevention (10 minutes)

(Display Your Mind Matters! Slide Deck - Slide 3: "What is Depression?")

Teacher: "Today, we're going to specifically talk about a couple of mental health topics that are really important to understand: depression and suicide prevention. First, let's talk about depression. When we say 'depression,' we're talking about more than just feeling sad for a day or two. Everyone feels sad sometimes, that's a normal human emotion. But depression is when a person feels sad, or loses interest in things they usually enjoy, for a really long time – weeks or even months – and it starts to get in the way of their daily life, like going to school, spending time with friends, or even sleeping."

Teacher: "Some signs that someone might be struggling with depression include: changes in their sleep patterns – maybe sleeping too much or not enough; changes in eating habits; having very low energy; feeling really hopeless or worthless; or losing interest in activities they once loved. It's important to know these signs so we can recognize them in ourselves or in our friends."

(Display Your Mind Matters! Slide Deck - Slide 4: "Suicide Prevention: It's Okay to Ask")

Teacher: "Now, this next topic is really serious and important: suicide prevention. If you or someone you know is feeling so much pain that they are thinking about ending their life, it is extremely important to know that help is available and things can get better. If someone you know talks about suicide, or shows signs that they might be thinking about it, you must take them seriously. They need help, and you can be a part of getting them that help."

Teacher: "There's a simple way to remember how to respond: ACT.

• Acknowledge: Listen to their concerns. Don't dismiss what they're saying. If they talk about hurting themselves, ask directly, 'Are you thinking about suicide?' Asking this question will NOT put the idea in their head, it shows you care.
• Care: Let them know you care about them and that they are not alone. Reassure them that there are people who want to help.
• Tell: This is the most important part. Immediately tell a trusted adult. This could be a parent, guardian, teacher, school counselor, coach, or any other adult you trust. You do not have to carry this burden alone, and you cannot solve it alone. Telling an adult is the most loving and brave thing you can do to help your friend."

Teacher: "Remember, their life is too important to risk. Always, always, tell a trusted adult."

Discussion: Reaching Out for Help (5 minutes)

(Transition to Discussion Guide: Reaching Out)

Teacher: "So, we've talked about recognizing signs and the importance of taking action. But where do we go from here? What if you, or a friend, needs help?"

Teacher: "I want you to think for a moment: Who is a trusted adult in your life that you could talk to if you were struggling with your mental health, or if you were worried about a friend?"

Teacher: "Great. It's so important to have those people in mind. These are the people who care about you and want to support you. It could be a parent or guardian, a teacher, a school counselor, a coach, or another family member. Our school also has resources like our school counselor or nurse."

(Display Your Mind Matters! Slide Deck - Slide 5: "Where to Find Help?")

Teacher: "Outside of school, there are also national helplines like the Crisis Text Line – you can text HOME to 741741, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which you can call or text 988. These are available 24/7 if you ever need immediate support. Remember, reaching out for help, whether for yourself or a friend, is a sign of incredible courage and strength. You never have to go through tough times alone."

Cool Down: One Step Forward (5 minutes)

(Distribute Cool Down: One Step Forward)

Teacher: "To wrap up today, I'd like you to take one more moment to reflect. On the paper I'm giving you, please write down one thing you learned today, or one action you will take to support your mental health or a friend's mental health. It could be something small, like promising yourself to talk to a trusted adult if you're struggling, or simply checking in with a friend who seems down."

Teacher: "Thank you for your honesty and attention today. Remember, your mind matters, and taking care of it is one of the most important things you can do. If you ever feel overwhelmed, or you're worried about someone else, please, reach out to a trusted adult. You are not alone, and there is always help available. Have a great rest of your day."

Warm Up: How Are You, Really?

Instructions: Take a moment to reflect on how you are feeling today. This is for your personal reflection, and you do not need to share your answers unless you choose to during our discussion.

1. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being 'feeling great' and 5 being 'really struggling,' how are you feeling today?

   Circle one:
   1 2 3 4 5

2. In one word, describe why you chose that number.

Cool Down: One Step Forward

Instructions: Take a moment to reflect on today's discussion. Write down one thing you learned or one action you will take to support your mental health or a friend's mental health.

Discussion Guide: Reaching Out

Teacher: "Let's discuss how we can put what we've learned into practice. It takes courage to reach out for help, whether it's for ourselves or for a friend. Knowing who to talk to is the first step."

Discussion Prompts:

1. Identifying Trusted Adults:
   • "Can you think of 2-3 trusted adults in your life that you would feel comfortable talking to if you were struggling with your mental health, or if you were worried about a friend? (e.g., parent, guardian, teacher, school counselor, coach, family member)"
   • "What makes someone a ‘trusted adult’ in your eyes?"

2. School and Community Resources:
   • "What resources are available here at school if someone needed to talk to a professional?"
   • "Beyond school, what are some ways someone could seek help anonymously or outside of school hours? (Refer to Slide 5 of the Your Mind Matters! Slide Deck for prompts if needed)"

3. Encouraging Others to Seek Help:
   • "If you noticed a friend showing signs of depression, or talking about wanting to hurt themselves, what would be your first step?"
   • "Why is it so important to tell a trusted adult, even if your friend asks you to keep it a secret?"