Wellness Works Facilitator Guide
Wellness Works
Facilitator Guide
Topic: Mental Health & Support
Small Group / Whole Class Intervention
Learning Objectives
- • Identify the 5 core factors that influence mental health.
- • Reflect on personal wellness habits and environments.
- • Identify specific support systems for challenging areas.
Materials Needed
- Wellness Works Slides
- Paper Plates (or Wellness Wheel handout)
- Crayons, Markers, or Colored Pencils
- Support Squad Reference Sheet
Lesson Procedure
1
The Hook: Highs & Lows (5 min)
Start with a structured check-in. Ask each student to share one "High" (something good that happened) and one "Low" (a challenge they faced) from the past week.
Counselor Tip: Model this first by sharing your own. This builds trust and normalizes that everyone experiences both good and difficult moments.
2
Video & Discussion (5 min)
Play the "Causes of Mental Illness" video. Pause at 2:15 after the "Lifestyle" section.
Pause Point Discussion:
"The video mentions sleep, exercise, and habits. Which of these lifestyle factors do we have the most control over? How can these 'small' things impact our big moods?"
3
Activity: The Wellness Wheel (20 min)
Distribute paper plates (or the Wellness Wheel handout). Have students divide their plate into 5 slices representing the video's categories:
- 1. Genetics
- 2. Lifestyle
- 3. Environment
- 4. Brain Health
- 5. Experience
The Rules:
- Color: Fill in sections where you feel strong (e.g., "I get 8 hours of sleep" or "My home is safe").
- Blank: Leave sections blank if you feel you struggle there.
- Support: In the blank sections, write down one person or resource you can turn to for help in that area.
4
Closure: Strength in Asking (5 min)
Summarize the lesson by reinforcing that mental health is complex. It's not "all in your head" or "your fault." It's a mix of many pieces.
"Remember: Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness—it's a sign of strength and self-awareness."
Adaptation Guide
Lower Elementary
Use simpler terms: "Inside Stuff" (Genetics), "Healthy Habits" (Lifestyle), "Around Me" (Environment).
Upper Elementary
Focus on the "Control" aspect. Which slices can we change ourselves? Which ones do we need others to help us with?
Middle/High School
Discuss the "Brain Injury" and "Past Experience" sections with more depth regarding stress and resilience.
Wellness Works Slides
Wellness Works
Mental Health & Support Systems
Take Care of You
Check-In: Highs & Lows
The High
What is one positive thing that happened this week? Something you're proud of or enjoyed.
The Low
What is one challenge or "bump in the road" you faced this week? Something that felt hard.
Mental health isn't just one thing.
It's about how you think, feel, and act.
It's made of many different pieces—like a puzzle.
The 5 Factors
Watch & Discuss
Embedded media
Pause at 2:15 for discussion!
Lifestyle: Choices Matter
The video mentions things like sleep and exercise.
Which lifestyle factors do you have the most control over right now?
Activity: The Wellness Wheel
Create your personal map of strengths and support.
01
Color It In
Color the slices where you feel strong. (e.g. "I have a safe environment").
02
Keep It Blank
Leave sections blank where you feel like you struggle or need extra help.
03
Find Support
In the blank slices, write one person or resource you can turn to.
Asking for help is a sign of strength.
You don't have to carry your puzzle pieces alone. Identifying your team is the first step to feeling better.
Wellness Wheel Activity Sheet
My Wellness Wheel
Mapping Strengths & Support
Name
Date
1
Color Strengths
Color in the slices where you feel healthy and strong right now.
2
Identify Gaps
Leave slices blank if you feel you struggle or need help in that area.
3
Find Support
In the blank slices, write down one person you can talk to for help.
Genetics
Family Health & DNA
Support Person:
Lifestyle
Habits & Sleep
Support Person:
Environment
Home & School
Support Person:
Brain Health
Physical Safety
Support Person:
Experience
Past & Story
Support Person:
Me
"I am resilient. I have a team. I am strong."