Safety Net Resource Sheet Safety Net Resource Sheet
Essential contacts for mental health, crisis support, and stress management.
Advisory Resources
Grades 11-12
National Support Networks
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988
Available 24/7. Call or text for free, confidential support in English or Spanish.
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
Free, 24/7 crisis counseling via text message for any type of struggle.
In-School Support
School Counselor
Location/Office Number
School Nurse/Health Office
Contact Info
Additional Trusted Adult (Coach, Teacher, Mentor)
Local Community Resources
Local Mental Health Clinic
Name/Phone Number
Youth Support Center / Teen Space
Name/Phone Number
Why Have This List?
Stress doesn't always happen during school hours. Keep this list in your binder or take a photo of it. These resources are confidential, meaning they won't share what you discuss unless they are concerned for your immediate safety or the safety of others.
Stress Myth Slides High School Advisory
The Stress Myth
Debunking substance use as a coping strategy & building your personal safety net.
Ready to start
Check-In Poll
On a scale of 1 to 5, how equipped do you feel to handle high stress right now?
1
Not at all
2
Barely
3
Okay
4
Well
5
Expert
Why substances don't help.
We're going to watch a short breakdown of how drugs and alcohol interact with your body's natural stress response.
Watch for: 988 / Crisis Text Line
Watch for: Physical effects
Embedded media
Pause & Reflect (0:28)
The Stress Response
"These changes are part of the natural 'stress response' and they're designed to help you face whatever challenge is coming your way."
Discussion Questions:
Have you ever felt these physical signs of stress? (Rapid heart, fast breathing)
Why might our body react this way naturally? How does it help us "face challenges"?
Pause & Reflect (1:33)
The Stimulant Irony
Stress Symptoms
• Increased Heart Rate
• Higher Blood Pressure
• Tension / Anxiety
Stimulant Effects
• Increased Heart Rate
• Higher Blood Pressure
• Irritability / Fatigue
Why is it ironic that people use stimulants to help with stress if they actually mimic stress symptoms physically?
Pause & Reflect (2:42)
Universal Support
Call or Text
988
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Text Message
HOME
To 741741
Why is it important to have anonymous ways to get help?
Healthy Ways to Cope
Talk
Trusted friends, family, or mentors.
Crisis Lines
988 or Text 741741 for immediate support.
Exercise
Releases endorphins to boost mood.
Hobbies
Music, art, or anything you enjoy.
Resource Wallets
1
Pick up a Resource Card template.
2
Fill in the 988/Crisis info and 2 local resources .
3
Fold it or snap a photo of it for your digital "wallet."
4
Practice sharing these numbers in a Role-Play .
The "Help-Seeker" Script
"Hey, I noticed you've been pretty stressed lately. I actually just got these numbers in advisory—have you heard of the Crisis Text Line? It’s HOME to 741741 . Maybe try texting them?"
Partner A
The Stressed Friend (describe a realistic stressor: exams, job, family)
Partner B
The Resource Sharer (uses their Wallet Card to offer help)
Closing Discussion
What are the barriers?
Why might someone be hesitant to call 988 or text a hotline? (Privacy, stigma, fear of being judged).
How can we reduce stigma?
How can we make it "normal" to use these resources in our school?
Wallet Resource Cards Resource Wallet Cards
Fill in the blanks, cut out a card, and keep it in your wallet or phone case.
Handout: Resource Wallet
Cut Along Dashed Line
MY SAFETY NET
Crisis Lifeline
988
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
Local/School Resource
Local/School Resource
"Your body and mind will thank you."
Cut Along Dashed Line
MY SAFETY NET
Crisis Lifeline
988
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
Local/School Resource
Local/School Resource
"Your body and mind will thank you."
Cut Along Dashed Line
MY SAFETY NET
Crisis Lifeline
988
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
Local/School Resource
Local/School Resource
"Your body and mind will thank you."
Cut Along Dashed Line
MY SAFETY NET
Crisis Lifeline
988
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
Local/School Resource
Local/School Resource
"Your body and mind will thank you."
Prefer Digital?
Fill out one card and take a photo. Create a "Help" contact in your phone and save the numbers there. Or better yet—create a dedicated album for mental health resources.
Support Scenarios Handout Support Scenarios Handout
Practice help-seeking and resource-sharing in a safe, low-pressure environment.
Role-Play Guide
The Objective
In pairs, take turns being the "Stressed Friend" and the "Help-Seeker." Use your Wallet Resource Card to practice actually saying the words and sharing the numbers.
SCENARIO 1
The Pressure Cooker
"Jordan is a senior applying to college while working 20 hours a week. They haven't slept more than 4 hours a night this week and are starting to mention how 'a drink or two' is the only way they can actually shut their brain off to sleep."
Goal for Help-Seeker
Validate Jordan's stress, gently question the alcohol use, and offer a crisis line or school counselor contact.
Brainstorm Your Opening Line:
SCENARIO 2
The Social Spiral
"Alex has been going through a rough breakup and has stopped coming to track practice. When you see them at lunch, they look exhausted and mention that they feel like they’re 'drowning' and don't know who to talk to without being a burden."
Goal for Help-Seeker
Show empathy, remind Alex that they aren't a burden, and show them the 988 or Crisis Text Line on your wallet card.
Brainstorm Your Opening Line:
SCENARIO 3
The Silent Struggle
"Your friend Sam is usually the 'funny' one, but recently they've been making jokes about needing 'meds' (unprescribed) to handle their mood swings. They aren't acting like themselves and seem irritable over small things."
Goal for Help-Seeker
Call out the behavior change kindly, mention the 'stimulant irony' from today's lesson, and offer to walk with them to the counselor's office.
Brainstorm Your Opening Line:
Post-Activity Reflection
Which part was the hardest to say out loud?
How did your partner respond to the resource offer?
Stress Myth Teacher Guide Teacher Facilitation Guide
The Stress Myth: Advisory Lesson
Grades 11-12
Learning Objectives
Identify the biological impact of substances on the stress response.
Locate accessible national and local mental health resources.
Practice verbalizing help-seeking behaviors through role-play.
Materials Needed
Stress Myth Slides
Wallet Resource Cards
Support Scenarios Handout
Scissors (for cutting cards)
Lesson Pacing
0-5 min
Warm-up & Poll
Use Slide 2. Allow students to briefly share why they chose their number. Focus on normalizing that most seniors feel high stress (college/career pressure).
5-15 min
Viewing & Pause Points
Play the video (Slide 3). Use the designated pause points (Slides 4-6) to facilitate brief discussions. Key takeaway: Substances mimic stress symptoms rather than fixing them.
15-35 min
Resource Wallets & Role-Play
Distribute Wallet Resource Cards . Students must fill in 988/Crisis info and local school resources. Once finished, they use the Support Scenarios Handout to practice sharing these numbers with a partner.
35-45 min
Closure Discussion
Focus on 988 barriers. Address misconceptions: 988 is not just for suicide; it is for any crisis or extreme stress. Discuss how anonymity reduces the fear of being "judged" or "getting in trouble."
Teacher Prep: Local Resources
Before class, identify these local resources so you can provide them to students for their Wallet Cards:
School Counseling Dept
Name of head counselor and location of the office.
School Health Office
Contact for the school nurse or wellness coordinator.
Local Teen Crisis Center
A community-based mental health clinic or youth center.
Local Hospital/ER Info
The nearest facility for psychiatric emergencies.
Facilitation Tips
Handling Resistance
If students joke about substances, pivot to the biology. "It’s not about judging; it's about chemistry. Your brain literally can't process the stress as well when it's under the influence."
Ensuring Safety
Remind students that these role-plays are for practice. If a student reveals a real current crisis during the activity, follow your school's mandatory reporting/safety protocols immediately.
