As educators, we have the ability to work towards the elimination of stigma and discrimination by teaching the new generation that people with a mental illness are not to be feared, judged, avoided, or discriminated against. Mental illness and mental health are gaining more traction in our collective consciousness, and we can further that cause by bringing the discussion into our classrooms. These lesson plans, in partnership with our Creating a Compassionate Classroom booklet, were created as resources to do just that.
There is a mental health crisis among our country’s youth. Young adolescents (10-14) are experiencing increased rates of mental health challenges and youth of color, in particular, face the additional trauma of systemic racism and greater challenges in accessing the support they need.Sound It Out uses the power of music to help parents and caregivers have meaningful conversations with their middle schoolers about emotional wellbeing. This website includes videos that promote conversations related to this topic.
This resource is a series of prompts educators can use to get their students to write about mental health strategies. Teachers could copy the resource and use it as a handout in class or as homework. Teachers could also use select prompts to stimulate class discussion.
Students will use a self-management checklist to document essential activities that are necessary for optimal health. Students will also have journal time, an opportunity to answer a daily prompt to free-write for 2 straight minutes.
Mental Wellness Basics introduces students to concepts related to mental health and wellness. The stigma associated with mental health can have serious and negative impacts on help-seeking behaviors, and many mental health conditions and symptoms can be significantly lessened through prevention.
This alignment results from the ALEX Health/PE COS Resource Alignment Summit.
This digital activity link guides students through steps for healthy conflict management. Students have the opportunity to respond to scenarios in the "You Decide" section and select the best choices for hypothetical scenarios. Role-play, skit development, and discussion allow students to work through inevitable conflict with guiding questions to provoke choices for resolution.
This activity will educate students on the definition of cyberbullying, give students statistics about cyberbullying, give students examples of cyberbullying, give students Cyber Safe tips, and empower students to sign the Commitment to Stopping Cyber Bullying contract.
