Mental Health Support

Synthesizing their learning, students create a 'Break the Glass' emergency plan for days when they feel low or anxious. They select their most effective pleasure and mastery activities and write specific implementation intentions (If I feel X, then I will do Y).

Students review the results of their personal experiments or case study data to identify patterns in how specific activities impact mood. They discuss the variability of results (what works for one person may not work for another) and begin curating their personal 'top hits' for mood improvement.

This lesson introduces the concept of 'acting opposite' to an emotion. Students design a short experiment to test the hypothesis that engaging in a positive activity—even when they don't feel like it—can improve their mood rating on a 1-10 scale. They prepare a data collection sheet for a homework experiment.

Students distinguish between activities that feel good in the moment (Pleasure) and those that make us feel accomplished (Mastery). Through a sorting workshop, they brainstorm examples for both categories, understanding that a balanced diet of experiences includes both fun and achievement.

Students participate in a discussion and mapping activity to visualize the cycle between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. They identify how doing nothing often leads to feeling worse (the downward spiral) and how small actions can reverse this.

Students identify barriers to action and practice 'graded task assignment' and the '5-minute rule' to overcome low motivation.

Using audit results and inventories, students construct a weekly Behavioral Activation Plan focusing on realistic micro-goals.

Students distinguish between Mastery and Pleasure activities and brainstorm a personal inventory aligned with their core values.

Learners conduct a retrospective audit of a typical day, mapping activities against energy and mood levels to identify patterns of depletion and restoration.

Students investigate the 'depression loop' to understand how inactivity and withdrawal fuel low energy and mood, focusing on the concept of 'outside-in' change.

This 60-minute lesson helps high school students recognize and manage the 'winter blues' through self-reflection and practical wellness strategies. Students will create a personalized toolkit to maintain emotional balance and energy during the darker months.

A 15-minute individual Tier 3 lesson designed to help high school students identify their unique strengths and connect them to their goals to foster renewed motivation.

Inspire students to identify and actively seek out sources of joy in their daily lives, cultivating an optimistic and resilient mindset through interactive activities and reflection.

This 30-minute lesson introduces 11th-grade students to the concept of gratitude, its benefits, and practical ways to cultivate it in their daily lives. It encourages reflection and discussion on the importance of appreciation through brainstorming, journaling, and group sharing.

A 15-minute Tier 3 individual session designed to empower a 17-year-old female by helping her recognize her inherent abilities, celebrate past successes, and articulate future aspirations through guided reflection.

A 30-minute lesson for high school students focused on understanding the action-emotion connection, specifically identifying maladaptive behaviors like avoidance and withdrawal.

An intensive Tier 3 support session for high school students focused on developing personalized self-care plans, stress management techniques, and ongoing wellness tracking.

A 40-minute Tier 3 therapy session designed for an 11th-grade student to build a personalized coping toolkit, set measurable treatment goals, and practice self-reflection for mental health empowerment.

A 15-minute Tier 3 session where school leaders learn to identify and address individual student mental health needs using evidence-based tools and action planning.

A 30-minute Tier 3 individual intervention for 11th-grade students to address social isolation, build emotional resilience, and develop authentic peer connections through reflection and SMART goal setting.

A lesson exploring the neurological basis of joy and resilience, providing students with biological tools to manage stress through the 'DOSE' neurotransmitters (Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins).

A high-energy, 30-minute social-emotional learning lesson designed for high schoolers. Students learn to navigate academic stress, resolve conflicts, and master the transition from home to school using 'The Great Reboot' framework.

A high-impact lesson designed for high schoolers to master self-regulation and task management through a 'systems interface' lens, focusing on turning defiance into self-advocacy.

A high-impact session focused on calming pre-test nerves, solidifying morning-of logistics, and setting personal process goals for the ACT.

Examining real-life challenges faced by WWE stars to inspire resilience, grit, and the 'Ganas' required for the final push.

Addressing test anxiety and ELA state exam preparation, including decompression strategies to stay 'main event' ready.

A high-energy activity focusing on inclusivity and celebrating different ways of thinking and 'wrestling' with challenges.

The first of two activities celebrating Autism Acceptance Week, highlighting the unique 'finishers' and strengths of neurodivergent individuals.

Focus on the Creed Value of Ubuntu and brotherhood, preparing students to support their peers during science test pep rallies.

Introduce the 'State Exam Mania' theme, focusing on the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation using the metaphor of championship belts vs. personal legacy.

Comprehensive review and graduation from the Survival and Salvage DBT program.

Committing to a new path (Turning the Mind) using the decision to pivot from salvage to survival.

A self-reflection follow-up lesson focused on identifying emotional triggers and practicing coping strategies to manage stress and pressure.

A lesson designed to equip students with practical mindfulness and grounding techniques specifically tailored for the stresses of state testing in Reading and Math, plus strategies for managing physical restlessness.

A lesson exploring the neurological basis of joy and resilience, providing students with biological tools to manage stress through the 'DOSE' neurotransmitters (Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins).

This lesson helps students identify physical symptoms of testing anxiety and practice three concrete physical relaxation techniques: Box Breathing, Progressive Muscle Relaxation, and Grounding.

A high-energy, 30-minute social-emotional learning lesson designed for high schoolers. Students learn to navigate academic stress, resolve conflicts, and master the transition from home to school using 'The Great Reboot' framework.

A high-impact lesson designed for high schoolers to master self-regulation and task management through a 'systems interface' lens, focusing on turning defiance into self-advocacy.

A high-impact session focused on calming pre-test nerves, solidifying morning-of logistics, and setting personal process goals for the ACT.

This lesson focuses on building the five core SEL competencies through a 'Blueprint' metaphor, helping high school students in special education develop resilience, self-awareness, and relationship skills. Students will explore emotional triggers, coping strategies, and responsible decision-making through guided instruction and interactive reflection.

Consolidating resources and creating a concrete, personalized safety plan for life after graduation.

An interactive workshop day where students map out personal hurdles and the resources needed to clear them.

Specifically addressing the psychological challenges of leaving high school and the loss of routine.

An exploration of depression symptoms, breaking stigma, and how to support friends in crisis.

A lesson designed to equip students with practical mindfulness and grounding techniques specifically tailored for the stresses of state testing in Reading and Math, plus strategies for managing physical restlessness.

This lesson helps students identify physical symptoms of testing anxiety and practice three concrete physical relaxation techniques: Box Breathing, Progressive Muscle Relaxation, and Grounding.

A high-impact session focused on calming pre-test nerves, solidifying morning-of logistics, and setting personal process goals for the ACT.

A mental health literacy workshop for high schoolers that teaches the 'Notice, Listen, Link' model for supporting peers in distress while emphasizing personal boundaries and professional referrals.

Consolidating resources and creating a concrete, personalized safety plan for life after graduation.

An interactive workshop day where students map out personal hurdles and the resources needed to clear them.

Specifically addressing the psychological challenges of leaving high school and the loss of routine.

An exploration of depression symptoms, breaking stigma, and how to support friends in crisis.

A comprehensive lesson on mental health awareness focusing on anxiety, depression, and the transition from high school, featuring a guided presentation and self-reflection activities.

Examining real-life challenges faced by WWE stars to inspire resilience, grit, and the 'Ganas' required for the final push.

Addressing test anxiety and ELA state exam preparation, including decompression strategies to stay 'main event' ready.

A high-energy activity focusing on inclusivity and celebrating different ways of thinking and 'wrestling' with challenges.

A mental health literacy workshop for high schoolers that teaches the 'Notice, Listen, Link' model for supporting peers in distress while emphasizing personal boundaries and professional referrals.

Consolidating resources and creating a concrete, personalized safety plan for life after graduation.

An interactive workshop day where students map out personal hurdles and the resources needed to clear them.

Specifically addressing the psychological challenges of leaving high school and the loss of routine.

An exploration of depression symptoms, breaking stigma, and how to support friends in crisis.

A comprehensive lesson on mental health awareness focusing on anxiety, depression, and the transition from high school, featuring a guided presentation and self-reflection activities.

Honor individual growth, provide closure for the group, and identify resources for ongoing support, including Tier 3 referral screening.

Focus on the transition to summer, identifying potential triggers during unstructured time, and creating a personalized support plan.

Explore the physical and emotional 'waves' of grief, identify personal triggers, and build a toolkit of grounding and coping strategies.

Establish group safety, introduce the concept of diverse losses, and allow students to map their personal journeys in a supportive environment.

A professional toolkit for school counselors and educators to identify K-12 students at risk of mental health regression during summer break, including triage frameworks and handoff documentation.

A comprehensive set of resources for middle and high school students focused on developing social-emotional intelligence, mental health awareness, and practical coping strategies. This lesson provides tools for self-tracking, group discussion, and hands-on practice with real-world scenarios.

A self-reflection follow-up lesson focused on identifying emotional triggers and practicing coping strategies to manage stress and pressure.

This lesson helps students identify physical symptoms of testing anxiety and practice three concrete physical relaxation techniques: Box Breathing, Progressive Muscle Relaxation, and Grounding.

Examining real-life challenges faced by WWE stars to inspire resilience, grit, and the 'Ganas' required for the final push.

Addressing test anxiety and ELA state exam preparation, including decompression strategies to stay 'main event' ready.

A high-energy activity focusing on inclusivity and celebrating different ways of thinking and 'wrestling' with challenges.

The first of two activities celebrating Autism Acceptance Week, highlighting the unique 'finishers' and strengths of neurodivergent individuals.

Focus on the Creed Value of Ubuntu and brotherhood, preparing students to support their peers during science test pep rallies.

Introduce the 'State Exam Mania' theme, focusing on the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation using the metaphor of championship belts vs. personal legacy.

Comprehensive review and graduation from the Survival and Salvage DBT program.

Committing to a new path (Turning the Mind) using the decision to pivot from salvage to survival.

Accepting reality without judgment (Radical Acceptance) using Shackleton's Endurance survival story.

Using distraction and ACCÈS skills to manage distress, using the radar jamming metaphors of the Flight 19 mystery.

Developing self-soothing techniques (Self-Soothe) using the survival of Aloha Flight 243 after losing its roof.

Using the TIPP skill for high-intensity distress, using the deep-sea pressure metaphors of the USS Thresher.

Reducing emotional vulnerability (ABC PLEASE) using the maintenance checklists of the Concorde fleet.

Practicing Opposite Action for intense emotions using the survival story of the USS Indianapolis.

Distinguishing between facts and emotions (Check the Facts) using the investigation of the Roswell 'crash' and other weather balloon incidents.

Focusing on the GIVE and FAST skills for maintaining relationships and self-respect, using the black box recovery of Air France 447 as a metaphor for retrieving valuable connection data.

Mastering the DEAR MAN skill for effective requests and boundary setting, using the SOS signals of the RMS Republic as a metaphor for clear communication.

Using the STOP skill to prevent 'emotional icebergs' from sinking the day.

The sequence concludes with students designing a 'Community Care Agreement' to establish norms for mutual support and collective rest in their own communities.

This lesson teaches specific bystander intervention strategies to bridge the gap between noticing distress and connecting a peer to resources.

Students learn to identify subtle behavioral and non-verbal signs of distress in their peers and practice gentle intervention strategies.

A workshop focusing on the listening skills required to support peers, emphasizing validation over immediate problem-solving.

Students define psychological safety and analyze its impact on team performance, using Google's 'Project Aristotle' as a primary case study.

Students create a resilience-based future plan, reframing potential rejections as redirects and developing objective flowcharts for goal-setting.

An analysis of historical figures who used acceptance and attitude-shifting to survive and thrive in extreme circumstances.

Students apply radical acceptance to interpersonal dynamics, learning the distinction between accepting a situation and approving of it.

This lesson explores how 'should' statements create a barrier to problem-solving and how converting them to 'is' statements promotes radical acceptance.

Students analyze the difference between judgmental language and objective facts, practicing how to strip away evaluative adjectives to reduce emotional distress.

A culminating presentation where students share their re-authoring plans and participate in a formal 'definitional ceremony'.

Students learn to draft therapeutic documents, such as letters and certificates, that solidify a client's preferred identity and agency.

An introduction to Outsider Witness practices, focusing on the four-step structure of witnessing to validate preferred identity stories.

Students explore the dual-landscape model, learning to connect specific actions to profound identity conclusions to 'thicken' preferred stories.

Students analyze how 'taken-for-granted' societal truths regarding success and gender impact mental health and support problem narratives.

Students address psychological and logistical barriers to seeking help. They use their procedural knowledge to create FAQ guides that dispel myths and reduce the fear of calling a hotline.

Using a tiered urgency model, students learn to categorize mental health needs. They distinguish between distress, crisis, and emergency to determine whether a warmline, hotline, or 911 is the right tool.

Students investigate the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline infrastructure. They compare the mechanics and communication nuances of voice-based calls versus text and chat-based support.

This lesson explores the legal and ethical boundaries of privacy in crisis support. Students learn to distinguish between confidential support and the 'imminent risk' threshold that triggers mandatory reporting.

Students analyze the stages of a crisis call, from initial intake to resource referral. They identify the specific questions operators use to assess immediate safety and de-escalate situations.

The culminating week of the sequence where students finalize, edit, and present their advocacy PSAs to the class or community.

A dedicated production week focused on crafting the physical or digital awards for nominated female educators, emphasizing high-quality citations and intentional design.

An art therapy session focused on exploring self-identity, navigating emotional transitions, and building distress tolerance through creative expression and mindfulness.

This lesson explores the psychological impact of transitions and teaches students healthy strategies for processing endings and saying goodbye. It covers the emotions of parting, the importance of closure, and practical 'ritual' techniques for moving on.

A social-emotional learning lesson focused on navigating major life transitions like graduation or moving, helping students process goodbyes and embrace new beginnings.

A creative counseling session designed for students who are hesitant to share feelings verbally. This lesson uses a "Hidden Gallery" art activity to explore the difference between public personas and private emotions in a low-pressure, symbolic way.

A supportive small-group session for students to express and process grief through a creative art activity and guided discussion.

Creating meaningful ways to honor the person who died and maintaining their legacy.

Identifying personal growth, strengths, and finding meaning in the journey toward healing.

Developing self-advocacy and communication skills to share needs with friends, family, and teachers.

Exploring secondary losses and the 'ripples' of grief that affect daily life, routines, and relationships.

A focused session for a small group of students to process changes in school staffing, exploring their feelings and developing coping strategies for transitions.

A gentle and supportive activity focused on sharing cherished memories of loved ones through creative story starters and guided discussion.

An adaptable counseling session focused on understanding the complex emotions of grief and change, featuring feelings mapping and coping strategy development for K-12 students.

Analyzes the correlation between emotional regulation and school engagement, helping students develop strategies for consistent attendance through intentional action.

Identifies personal attributes and internal strengths, translating them into symbolic visual representations that reinforce positive self-identity.

Focuses on the sophisticated identification of emotional states through color theory and artistic metaphor, providing non-verbal tools for students to communicate complex internal experiences.

A collection of resources to propose, plan, and execute a Social Work Month focused on grief, loss, and self-care.

Culminating week dedicated to honoring local female educators who advocate for anti-bullying and inclusivity.

Deep dive into empathy and anti-bullying, examining how to move from intimidation to inspiration.

A foundational lesson designed to help students define grief, identify its various causes, and recognize the diverse emotional, physical, and cognitive reactions it can trigger. This lesson builds empathy and emotional literacy through reading and guided discussion.

In the final lesson, students apply their knowledge of complex emotion labeling to conflict resolution. They practice simulations where they must accurately label their own mixed emotions and validate the emotions of others to resolve high-stakes social and workplace scenarios.

Students focus on temporal emotions like nostalgia and anticipatory grief, specifically relevant to 11th graders approaching their final year. They learn to distinguish between healthy reflection on the past and avoidance of the future, labeling the complex mix of feelings related to transition.

Students investigate the 'fundamental attribution error' and how narrow labeling of others leads to empathy gaps. Through simulation and role-play, they practice generating multiple potential emotional labels for the same behavior to build social awareness and perspective-taking.

Students investigate Imposter Syndrome through the lens of dialectical thinking. They learn to separate the physiological sensations of anxiety from the cognitive appraisal of competence, labeling the specific insecurities that arise during high-stakes challenges.

Students explore the concept of dialectics—the ability to hold two opposing truths or emotions simultaneously. Through the 'Breakup Paradox' and other case studies, they learn to validate mixed emotional states as normal and functional.

Students reflect on their archives as part of a 'continuing bond' and develop plans for maintaining digital legacies.

Students assemble their curated artifacts into a multimedia collage, applying technical skills to create a digital tribute.

Students learn how technical choices in editing, like pacing and sound, impact the emotional tone of a story.

Students practice the art of curation, selecting significant digital artifacts to tell a focused narrative of loss or memory.

Students explore the ethical implications of 'digital afterlife' and how online spaces serve as modern memorial grounds.

A culminating presentation where students share their ritual and object designs, justifying their symbolic and architectural choices through the lens of emotional support.

Students explore instrumental music and ambient soundscapes as tools for mindfulness. They practice active listening to ground themselves and manage stress without the influence of lyrical content.