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.

A workshop-style lesson where students design a balanced weekly schedule that integrates mood boosters and essential responsibilities.

Students learn 'Action Before Motivation' and practice techniques like the 5-Minute Rule and Chunking to overcome inertia.

Students differentiate between numbing and nourishing activities, creating a personal 'Menu of Joy' aligned with their values.

Students practice self-monitoring by auditing energy levels and correlating daily activities with their internal battery charge.

Students explore the cyclical relationship between behavior and emotion, mapping out the downward spiral of inactivity and the upward spiral of engagement through case studies.

A 45-minute social-emotional learning lesson for 6th graders to identify 'winter blahs' and build a personal toolkit of mood-boosting strategies.

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.

A 20-minute small group lesson for 6th graders focused on understanding depression through age-appropriate language and introducing behavioral activation strategies to improve mood.

This 20-minute small group session for 6th graders introduces the concept of depression in age-appropriate terms and teaches behavioral activation strategies through the 'Behavior Boost' technique. Students identify mood-boosting activities and commit to a 'Boost Challenge' to manage difficult feelings.

A 45-minute social-emotional learning lesson for middle schoolers focused on cultivating gratitude, identifying positive aspects of life, and expressing appreciation to others.

This lesson cultivates an attitude of gratitude and appreciation among middle school students through reflective journaling and creative expression. Students will identify positive aspects of their lives and contribute to a collective 'Gratitude Garden' display to strengthen community bonds.

A 25-minute individual counseling lesson for a 6th-grade student to identify personal goals and discussion topics, fostering agency and ownership in their therapeutic journey.

This lesson helps students in grades 3-6 explore the emotion of joy through the lens of Disney Pixar's Inside Out. Students define joy, identify personal joyful triggers, and participate in collaborative activities to celebrate positive memories.

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 40-minute Tier 2 group session for middle schoolers to explore the link between internal moods and external behaviors, focusing on self-regulation and coping strategies.

A comprehensive preparation lesson for the ILEARN assessment, focusing on test-taking strategies, physical readiness, and emotional regulation through a high-energy gaming theme.

A comprehensive session focused on uncovering internal drivers, setting meaningful academic goals, and building social-emotional resilience through motivation strategies.

Finalizing the daily routine by creating a 'construction schedule' to keep the joy architecture maintained over time.

Students learn to identify 'raw materials' of joy—small, positive moments in their daily lives—and begin their joy site inspection.

A CBT-based toolkit designed for middle school students to understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It provides practical strategies for identifying negative thinking patterns and implementing small behavioral changes to improve mood.

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 social-emotional learning lesson for middle schoolers that explores the science behind gratitude and guides them in writing meaningful 'Impact Notes' to strengthen their school community.

A high-energy lesson designed to boost student motivation and self-encouragement through a 'superhero' lens. Students identify their personal strengths and create a plan to stay 'pumped up' during challenges.

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

A comprehensive emotional regulation toolkit for students to manage testing anxiety using maritime-themed grounding techniques and cognitive reframing.

A comprehensive preparation lesson for the ILEARN assessment, focusing on test-taking strategies, physical readiness, and emotional regulation through a high-energy gaming theme.

This lesson introduces the concept of the 'Waiting Gap' and provides practical tools for managing the physical and emotional urge to act instantly. Includes worksheets on specific classroom scenarios and a movement-based activity for building delayed gratification.

A science-themed lesson that teaches students to manage test anxiety by treating their physical stress responses as laboratory experiments, testing different 'calm-down formulas' to find their personal best stress-neutralizers.

A comprehensive lesson on self-regulation where students identify stress triggers and build a personalized toolkit of mindfulness and grounding strategies.

Students explore personal stress triggers and develop a personalized toolkit of mindfulness and grounding strategies through hands-on stations and reflective journaling.

A sensitive and supportive lesson designed to help students navigate anxiety regarding the loss of loved ones through nature metaphors, expressive art, and identifying support systems.

A supportive lesson for middle schoolers focused on developing self-compassion and the ability to forgive oneself after mistakes or difficult days. Students learn to identify their inner critic and cultivate a kind, supportive inner voice.

A comprehensive mindfulness workshop designed to equip 3rd-6th grade students with practical tools to manage testing anxiety, focusing on physiological awareness and cognitive reframing.

This lesson helps middle school students identify sensory triggers associated with seasonal energy shifts and develop a personalized regulation roadmap of calming and focusing strategies. Students explore the physiology of 'spring fever' and create a practical toolkit for maintaining focus during high-energy periods.

Finalizing the daily routine by creating a 'construction schedule' to keep the joy architecture maintained over time.

Students learn to identify 'raw materials' of joy—small, positive moments in their daily lives—and begin their joy site inspection.

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

A lesson focused on developing self-regulation, impulse control, and social awareness for middle school students through interactive gameplay and reflection.

A brief, 10-minute social-emotional learning lesson focused on building resilience and processing emotions after experiencing rejection from a family member. Students learn to identify their feelings, use self-affirmations as a 'shield,' and identify a support network of trusted adults.

A CBT-based toolkit designed for middle school students to understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It provides practical strategies for identifying negative thinking patterns and implementing small behavioral changes to improve mood.

A middle school intervention designed to help students identify specific underlying emotions by 'digging' beneath surface-level responses like 'fine' or 'mad' to improve emotional granularity and self-regulation.

A middle school counseling lesson focused on distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms for the summer break, using data-driven insights and CASEL-aligned strategies.

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 session dedicated to identifying who in a student's life is safe to talk to and how to prepare for more difficult conversations with family.

A session focused on the 'other half' of communication—how to listen with empathy when someone else is being vulnerable, and how to feel heard.

An introductory small-group session for two students focused on identifying the gap between internal feelings and external expressions, and building the initial courage to share.

A collection of intake and referral forms for school counseling programs, focused on building a holistic understanding of a student's social-emotional needs through student, teacher, and parent perspectives.

A comprehensive lesson for 6th graders on understanding mental health, identifying warning signs, and knowing which trusted adults to turn to for support.

Students identify and reframe 8 common cognitive distortions using an Uno-inspired framework. This lesson combines social-emotional learning with academic growth mindset strategies through interactive slides, a custom card game, and reflective practice.

The introductory materials for the Brain Glitch Defense curriculum, including the facilitator guide, roadmap, and core objectives.

Students create a personalized toolkit of sensory strategies and reminders to support radical acceptance in their daily lives.

Students practice observing thoughts as external objects (like clouds) to create distance and reduce impulsive reactions to internal distress.

Using the wave metaphor, students learn that emotions are temporary and practice 'surfing' through distress rather than fighting it.

Students learn and practice specific DBT-based somatic skills—Willing Hands and Half-Smile—to communicate safety to the brain and facilitate acceptance.

Students identify physical signs of resistance in their bodies when facing difficult emotions and practice a guided body scan to build interoception.

Provides strategies for handling pressure from peers to keep safety concerns secret.

Empowers students to identify trusted adults and practice the script for reporting safety concerns.

Teaches students how to express care and empathy without making dangerous promises of secrecy.

Focuses on the 'Acknowledge' step, teaching students how to use 'I' statements to validate a friend's feelings.

Introduces the A.C.T. framework using a first aid analogy to normalize mental health support and safety protocols.

Students simulate the actual process of going to a guidance counselor or teacher with a friend (or on their behalf). They demystify what happens after the report is made.

This critical lesson addresses the 'Tell' step. Students practice the transition phrase: 'I care about you too much to keep this a secret.' They discuss why safety overrides promises of secrecy.

Focusing on the 'Care' part of ACT, students practice listening without interrupting or offering immediate advice. They learn validating phrases that help a distressed peer feel heard.

Students identify specific trusted adults and community resources, creating a personal safety map and 'Lifeline' contact list.

Students practice 'I notice' statements to open conversations without sounding accusatory. They role-play low-stakes scenarios to get comfortable asking 'Are you okay?' effectively.

Dismantles the 'snitching' stigma by differentiating between tattling (getting someone in trouble) and reporting (getting someone out of trouble).

Introduces the Acknowledge, Care, Tell framework to help students validate peer feelings and bridge them to professional help.

Focuses on recognizing verbal and behavioral red flags, including digital cues on social media, emphasizing that these signs require adult support.

Students explore emotional baselines to identify significant behavioral changes, using the 'Invisible Backpack' metaphor to understand hidden burdens.

Students clearly define the boundaries of their role as a friend versus a professional. They learn that their job is to connect friends to help, not to solve the problem themselves.

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.

Students compile their work into a Resilience Anthology, reflecting on their growth and creating a toolkit for future emotional regulation.

Teaches students to use figurative language and sensory metaphors to externalize and describe complex emotions.

Focuses on the epistolary format, teaching students to structure their feelings into letters to people, places, or past versions of themselves.

Students use existing texts to create blackout poetry, finding hidden messages of hope and resilience within a page of words.

Introduces students to the concept of free writing as a way to clear mental clutter and process emotions in a safe, private space.

Students finalize their projects and participate in a respectful dedication ceremony to find closure and provide a safe home for their memories.

Students learn and apply artistic techniques like collage, decoupage, and layering to create a textured, meaningful tribute.

Students begin the physical construction of their memory boxes, focusing on the distinction between the public exterior and the private interior.

Students select personal artifacts that represent significant memories and learn how to tell the stories behind these objects through descriptive writing.

Students explore how humans throughout history have used physical objects and structures to honor the past, from massive monuments to small personal tokens.

Students write artist statements and participate in a silent gallery walk to share and witness each other's emotional journeys.

A sensitive and supportive lesson designed to help students navigate anxiety regarding the loss of loved ones through nature metaphors, expressive art, and identifying support systems.

Students will learn how to make meaningful apologies and use art to explore the concept of repairing damaged relationships.

Students will practice effective communication techniques using role-play scenarios focused on active listening and "I" statements.

Students will explore different ways to navigate disagreements using a board game format to practice perspective-taking.

Students will identify the "ingredients" of a good friend and create a visual representation of their friendship standards.

A supportive lesson designed for a 6th-grade student to navigate grief, identify complex emotions using a feeling wheel, and master 'I Feel' statements to improve communication with family.

A supportive resource set designed for middle schoolers navigating the loss of a pet. Includes a counselor's guide for small group sessions, a set of reflective journal prompts, and an individual worksheet focused on coping strategies.

A restorative SEL lesson designed to help a student understand the serious impact of verbal threats and develop healthy coping mechanisms for intense anger. This lesson focuses on the 'ripple effect' of words and provides a concrete toolkit for de-escalation.

A 20-minute restorative art session designed to help a student process a difficult morning through humorous guided drawing and goal setting. This session focuses on externalizing negative emotions through silly character design and pivoting towards a positive afternoon objective.

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

A therapeutic arts and crafts session designed for 11-year-old girls to process difficult emotions and build self-esteem through watercolor painting and journaling. This lesson incorporates ADHD-friendly strategies such as sensory-focused tasks and open-ended creative expression.

A practical and engaging lesson designed to help students navigate and adapt to unexpected school staff changes using the PIVOT coping strategy.

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 small group lesson designed to help students navigate grief by identifying emotions, expressing feelings through art, and finding healthy ways to remember loved ones.

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.

A comprehensive emotional regulation toolkit for students to manage testing anxiety using maritime-themed grounding techniques and cognitive reframing.

A science-themed lesson that teaches students to manage test anxiety by treating their physical stress responses as laboratory experiments, testing different 'calm-down formulas' to find their personal best stress-neutralizers.

Students explore a futuristic high school hallway and tech lab to identify 'glitches' in social communication. They learn to decode body language and facial expressions in complex social situations.

A comprehensive lesson on self-regulation where students identify stress triggers and build a personalized toolkit of mindfulness and grounding strategies.

Students explore personal stress triggers and develop a personalized toolkit of mindfulness and grounding strategies through hands-on stations and reflective journaling.

A sensitive and supportive lesson designed to help students navigate anxiety regarding the loss of loved ones through nature metaphors, expressive art, and identifying support systems.

A comprehensive mindfulness workshop designed to equip 3rd-6th grade students with practical tools to manage testing anxiety, focusing on physiological awareness and cognitive reframing.

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 lesson designed to help students manage the specific stressors of April, such as testing and transitions, using the 'Pressure Valve' metaphor for self-regulation.

A hands-on creative session where students mold physical 'Pause Buttons' out of clay to serve as tactile anchors for emotional regulation. Students pair their physical buttons with 'Response Sentences' that help them transition from reaction to intentional response.

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

A science-themed lesson that teaches students to manage test anxiety by treating their physical stress responses as laboratory experiments, testing different 'calm-down formulas' to find their personal best stress-neutralizers.

Students explore personal stress triggers and develop a personalized toolkit of mindfulness and grounding strategies through hands-on stations and reflective journaling.

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.

Equips middle schoolers (6th-8th) with strategies to handle complex social dynamics and personal setbacks using realistic role-play scenarios.

Helps 3rd to 5th graders develop grit and perspective when facing academic and social challenges through collaborative role-play.

Introduces 1st and 2nd graders to the concept of 'bouncing back' from small mistakes and managing big feelings using role-play scenarios.

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.