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Your Mind Matters: School Support

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Ashley Salazar

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Your Mind Matters: School Support Lesson Plan

Students will identify school-based resources for mental health support, understand the importance of seeking help for themselves and peers, and learn practical self-care strategies, including self-harm and suicide prevention tips.

Mental health is just as important as physical health. Learning how to get support and practice self-care helps students navigate challenging emotions, build resilience, and create a supportive school community where everyone feels safe and valued.

Audience

6th and 7th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, slide presentation, and reflective activities.

Materials

Whiteboard or Projector, Your Mind Matters Slide Deck, Warm-Up: How Are We Feeling?, Cool-Down: One Thing I Can Do, Journal: My Support Squad (Optional for extended reflection), and Teacher Script: Your Mind Matters

Prep

Review Materials

10 minutes

  • Review the Your Mind Matters Slide Deck and become familiar with the content.
  • Read through the Teacher Script: Your Mind Matters to understand talking points and discussion prompts.
  • Ensure projector or whiteboard is set up for the slide deck.
  • Print or prepare for digital distribution of Warm-Up: How Are We Feeling?, Cool-Down: One Thing I Can Do, and Journal: My Support Squad if using them physically. Reviewing all generated materials is recommended.

Step 1

Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Distribute Warm-Up: How Are We Feeling? or project the prompt on the board.
  • Ask students to reflect on the prompt individually for 1-2 minutes.
  • Briefly discuss a few anonymous responses (if collected) or invite volunteers to share thoughts on why it's important to check in with ourselves. (Refer to Teacher Script: Your Mind Matters for exact phrasing).
  • Introduce the topic: mental health and school support.

Step 2

Understanding Mental Health & Support Systems (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Present the first few slides of the Your Mind Matters Slide Deck.
  • Lead a discussion about what mental health means and common feelings students might experience.
  • Introduce the various school resources available (e.g., counselors, nurses, trusted teachers).
  • Emphasize that seeking help is a sign of strength.
  • Discuss when and how to reach out for help for themselves or a friend, including situations like self-harm or suicidal thoughts, reiterating the importance of telling a trusted adult immediately.

Step 3

Self-Care Strategies (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Continue with the Your Mind Matters Slide Deck focusing on self-care tips.
  • Brainstorm with students a list of healthy coping mechanisms (e.g., exercise, hobbies, talking to friends, mindfulness).
  • Highlight the importance of sleep, nutrition, and screen time management.
  • Encourage students to identify one or two strategies they can try this week.

Step 4

Cool-Down & Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Distribute Cool-Down: One Thing I Can Do.
  • Have students write down one thing they learned or one self-care strategy they will try.
  • Collect cool-downs as an exit ticket.
  • Briefly reiterate the main message: It's okay not to be okay, and there are people at school who care and can help.
  • Optional: Assign the Journal: My Support Squad for homework or extended reflection.
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Slide Deck

Your Mind Matters: School Support

Understanding Mental Health & How to Get Help at School

It's okay not to be okay.
We are here to help you!

Welcome students and introduce the topic of mental health and school support. Explain that this is a safe space to talk about feelings and resources. Emphasize confidentiality within limits (safety concerns).

What is Mental Health?

  • It's about your thoughts, feelings, and how you act.
  • It's about how you handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
  • Everyone has mental health, just like everyone has physical health!
  • Sometimes our mental health needs a little extra care.

Ask students: "What does 'mental health' mean to you?" Facilitate a brief discussion, guiding them towards understanding it's about our feelings, thoughts, and how we cope with life. Emphasize that everyone has mental health, just like everyone has physical health.

Big Feelings Are Normal

  • Everyone experiences tough emotions like stress, sadness, anger, or worry.
  • Sometimes these feelings can feel really big or last a long time.
  • It's a sign of strength to notice when you need help.
  • You are not alone!

Discuss common feelings students might experience (stress, sadness, anxiety, anger). Normalize these feelings. Ask: "When might these feelings become overwhelming or too much to handle alone?" Introduce the idea that help is available.

Who Can Help at School?

There are caring adults at your school who want to support you!

  • School Counselors: They listen, help you with problems, and teach coping skills.
  • School Nurses: They can help with physical symptoms of stress or connect you to health resources.
  • Trusted Teachers/Staff: An adult you feel comfortable talking to about anything.
  • Coaches/Club Leaders: Adults who know you well and can offer guidance.

Their job is to help students like you!

Introduce the idea of trusted adults at school. Ask: "Who are some adults at school you feel comfortable talking to?" List specific roles. Explain WHAT these adults can do: listen, offer advice, connect them to more support. Stress that these people care about their well-being.

When to Get Help Immediately

Some worries need help right away. If you or a friend:

  • Are talking about harming yourselves.
  • Are talking about suicide.
  • Feel completely hopeless or that things will never get better.
  • Are engaging in self-harm behaviors (like cutting).

It is CRUCIAL to tell a trusted adult at school (counselor, teacher, nurse, principal) IMMEDIATELY. You are not betraying a friend; you are saving a life. Your safety and the safety of your friends is the TOP priority.

This is a critical slide. Emphasize the URGENCY of these situations. Explain that if they or a friend are talking about self-harm or suicide, it's NOT a secret to keep. Reiterate: "Tell a trusted adult immediately, even if your friend says not to. You are being a good friend by getting them help." Provide clear, actionable steps.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health (Self-Care!)

Just like you take care of your body, you need to take care of your mind!

Self-care means doing things that help you feel better and stay healthy.

It's not selfish; it's essential!

Transition to self-care. Explain that self-care isn't just for when things are bad, but for maintaining good mental health. Ask: "What are some things you do to feel good or relax?" Brainstorm ideas.

Self-Care Strategies to Try

  • Talk it out: Share your feelings with a trusted adult or friend.
  • Move your body: Play sports, dance, walk, or stretch.
  • Get enough sleep: Aim for 9-11 hours of sleep each night.
  • Eat healthy foods: Fuel your body and brain.
  • Limit screen time: Take breaks from phones and computers.
  • Spend time in nature: Go outside and enjoy the fresh air.
  • Do hobbies you love: Read, draw, play music, write.
  • Practice mindfulness: Take deep breaths, notice your surroundings.
  • Help others: Volunteering or being kind can boost your mood.

Present various self-care strategies. Encourage students to think about what works for them. Emphasize that different things work for different people. Encourage them to try new things. Ask for other ideas from the class.

Remember These Important Things:

  • Your mental health matters.
  • It's okay to have big feelings.
  • There are caring adults at school ready to help you.
  • If you or a friend are thinking about self-harm or suicide, tell an adult immediately.
  • Practice self-care to keep your mind healthy.

You are important, and you are not alone!

Summarize the key takeaways. Reiterate the main message and provide a clear call to action: reach out for help if needed. Emphasize the supportive environment.

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Script

Teacher Script: Your Mind Matters: School Support

Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone. Today, we're going to talk about something really important: our mental health. Just like we have physical health, we also have mental health, and it's just as important to take care of it.

Let's start with a quick warm-up. I've either handed out a paper or you can look at the screen. The prompt is: 'How are you feeling right now, and why?' Take a minute or two to honestly reflect and write down your thoughts. You don't have to share unless you want to, but it's good to check in with yourself."

(Pause for 1-2 minutes for students to write.)

Teacher: "Does anyone want to share, perhaps anonymously, or just share what it feels like to check in with yourself? Why do you think it's important to ask ourselves, 'How am I feeling?'"

(Facilitate a brief discussion, guiding students to understand that recognizing feelings is the first step to managing them.)

Teacher: "Exactly. It's important to know how we're doing inside. Today, we're going to explore what mental health means, who at school can support us if we're struggling, and some things we can do to take care of our minds every day."

Understanding Mental Health & Support Systems (10 minutes)

Teacher: (Transition to Your Mind Matters Slide Deck - Slide 2: What is Mental Health?) "So, let's dive a little deeper. When you hear 'mental health,' what comes to mind?"

(Allow a few student responses.)

Teacher: "Great ideas! As this slide shows, mental health is all about our thoughts, our feelings, and how we react to the world around us. It's how we handle stress, how we get along with others, and how we make decisions. Every single person in this room has mental health, just like we all have physical health. And just like sometimes our physical health needs a doctor, sometimes our mental health needs a little extra care and support."

(Advance to Your Mind Matters Slide Deck - Slide 3: Big Feelings Are Normal) "It's totally normal to have 'big feelings.' Everyone feels stressed, sad, angry, or worried sometimes. It's part of being human. But sometimes, these feelings can feel really overwhelming, or they might last for a long time, making it hard to focus, enjoy things, or even get out of bed. If that happens, it's a sign that you might need some support. And remember, asking for help is one of the bravest and strongest things you can do."

(Advance to Your Mind Matters Slide Deck - Slide 4: Who Can Help at School?) "The good news is, you don't have to go through tough times alone. Our school is full of caring adults who are here to help you. Take a look at this slide. Can anyone tell me some of the adults listed here who you could talk to?"

(Call on students to name roles like counselors, nurses, teachers, etc.)

Teacher: "That's right! We have school counselors, nurses, and many trusted teachers and staff. These adults are trained to listen, to help you figure out problems, and to teach you coping skills. They can also connect you with even more help if you need it. Their job is to support students like you, so please know they are approachable and genuinely care."

(Advance to Your Mind Matters Slide Deck - Slide 5: When to Get Help Immediately) "Now, this next slide is extremely important. There are some worries that need help right away. If you or a friend ever..."

(Read bullet points clearly and slowly from the slide: Are talking about harming yourselves, Are talking about suicide, Feel completely hopeless, Are engaging in self-harm behaviors.)

Teacher: "If you ever hear a friend say something like this, or if you feel this way yourself, it is CRUCIAL to tell a trusted adult at school IMMEDIATELY. This means a counselor, a teacher, the nurse, or the principal. You are not 'tattling' or 'betraying a friend.' You are being an incredible friend, and you could be saving a life. Your safety, and the safety of your friends, is the absolute top priority. Do not keep these kinds of secrets. Who can remind us what to do if we or a friend are having these thoughts?"

(Ensure students understand the immediate action needed.)

Self-Care Strategies (10 minutes)

Teacher: *(Advance to Your Mind Matters Slide Deck - Slide 6: Taking Care of Your Mental Health (Self-Care!)) "Just like we eat healthy food and exercise to take care of our bodies, we need to do things to take care of our minds too. This is called 'self-care.' It's not selfish; it's essential for staying healthy and happy. What are some things you do that make you feel good or help you relax?"

(Brainstorm a few ideas with students.)

Teacher: (Advance to Your Mind Matters Slide Deck - Slide 7: Self-Care Strategies to Try) "Here are some fantastic ideas for self-care. Let's look at a few together. (Read through some of the bullet points, inviting students to share which ones they already do or would like to try.)

  • Talk it out: Sometimes just sharing your feelings with someone you trust can make a huge difference.
  • Move your body: Physical activity can release stress and boost your mood.
  • Get enough sleep: Our brains need rest to function well.
  • Limit screen time: Taking breaks from devices helps your eyes and your brain relax.
  • Do hobbies you love: Reading, drawing, playing games – these are great ways to de-stress.

Everyone is different, so what works for one person might not work for another. The goal is to find what helps you feel calm, happy, or refreshed. Can you think of any other self-care strategies that aren't on this list?"

(Allow for a few more student suggestions.)

Cool-Down & Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

Teacher: (Advance to Your Mind Matters Slide Deck - Slide 8: Remember These Important Things:) "We're almost out of time, but before we finish, let's quickly review the most important messages from today. (Briefly reiterate bullet points on the slide: Mental health matters, okay to have big feelings, adults at school can help, tell an adult immediately about self-harm/suicide, practice self-care.)"

Teacher: "For our cool-down today, I'm going to hand out a slip of paper or ask you to write in your notebook. On it, I want you to write down one thing you learned today OR one self-care strategy you are going to try this week. This is your exit ticket for today."

(Distribute Cool-Down: One Thing I Can Do or have students write it down. Collect as they finish.)

Teacher: "Thank you for being so engaged today. Remember, it's okay not to be okay, and there are always people here at school who care about you and want to help. If you ever need to talk, please reach out to a trusted adult. You are important, and you are not alone."

(Optional homework/extended reflection: Journal: My Support Squad.)

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Warm Up

Warm-Up: How Are We Feeling?

Take a moment to check in with yourself.

How are you feeling right now, and why?

(Think about your emotions, your energy level, or anything on your mind. You don't have to share your answer out loud, but be honest with yourself.)












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Cool Down

Cool-Down: One Thing I Can Do

Take a moment to reflect on today's lesson.

On the lines below, write down ONE important thing you learned today OR one self-care strategy you are going to try this week.







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