Coping Skills
Name one coping skill you could use when you're feeling frustrated.
What is deep breathing, taking a break, movement, talking to someone, grounding, drawing, etc.?
What is the difference between coping and problem-solving?
What is coping manages your emotions; problem-solving addresses the situation causing the problem?
If one coping strategy doesn't work, does that mean coping doesn't work?
What is no?
Your friend doesn't text you back. You start worrying that they're mad at you. What should you do first?
What is pause and avoid immediately assuming the worst?
Act out a coping skill without saying what it is. Your team has to guess it.
What is any appropriate coping skill?
True or False: Coping skills always solve the problem causing your emotions.
What is false?
What is the first thing you should do before trying to solve a difficult problem?
What is pause/notice what's happening and determine whether you're calm enough to think clearly?
Give one reason a coping strategy might not work in a particular situation?
Someone cuts in front of you in line and you become angry. Would you need coping, problem-solving, or both?
What is potentially both, depending on the situation?
Name three things you cold do during a pause before reacting?
What are breathe, count, walk away, think about consequences, identify the goal, or ask for help?
What is take a break, breathe, walk, ground yourself, wait before responding, etc.?
You forgot to charge your Chromebook and now it's dead at school. Is taking deep breaths the solution?
What is no? Breathing may help manage frustration, but you still need to solve the problem.
You try sitting quietly when you're extremely restless, but it makes you more frustrated. What could you try instead?
You have a big assignment due tomorrow and you're stressed because you haven't started yet. What's the problem-solving step you could take?
What is break the assignment into smaller steps and start with one manageable task?
Give an example of a situation where coping alone would not solve the problem.
Examples: Missing an assignment, ongoing conflict, needing to communicate a boundary, losing an important item, etc.
You're overwhelmed by everything you need to accomplish today. Give two different types of coping strategies you could try.
What are moving + breathing, grounding + talking, or creating + taking a break (Any combination of two DIFFERENT coping skills)
Name three steps you could use to solve a problem.
What are Identify the problem → Think of options → Consider consequences → Choose a solution → Try it → Evaluate how it worked.
Create a Plan B for someone whose usual coping strategy is listening to music but they don't have headphones available.
What is any appropriate alternative: Walking, breathing, drawing, talking to someone, grounding, stretching, etc.?
You receive criticism from a teacher and immediately feel embarrassed and angry. Give one coping response and one problem-solving response.
What are Coping: take a breath/walk/take a moment; Problem-Solving: ask specifically needs to improve and make a plan?
Your team has 30 seconds to create a three-step coping plan for someone who is becoming angry.
Must include three appropriate steps.
You try your usual coping skills, but you're still extremely upset. What should you consider doing next?
What is try a different coping strategy, give the strategy more time, ask for support, or determine whether the underlying problem needs to be addressed?
You keep arguing with the same person. You've tried walking away, breathing, and taking breaks, but the conflict keeps happening. What might you need to do next?
What is address the actual problem, communicate respectfully, establish a boundary, ask for help, or find another solution?
Someone says, "My coping skill didn't work, so there's nothing I can do." What would you tell them?
What is one strategy not working doesn't mean nothing will work. Try another strategy, adjust the approach, or determine whether the problem itself needs to be addressed?
You get into an argument with someone. You're angry, but you know the disagreement needs to be addressed. Walk through the sequence: Notice → Pause → ______ → ______ → Respond
What are Coping → Solve
A student gets an upsetting message from a friend. They're angry, their heart is racing, and they immediately want to send an angry response. They also know the friendship matters to them. As a team, create the best response using everything we've learned.
NOTICE → Recognize the emotion
PAUSE → Don't react immediately
COPE → Use an appropriate reset strategy
SOLVE → Decide what needs to happen
RESPOND → Choose an intentional response