Teens and Stress
The body's physical and emotional response to a challenge, demand, or difficult situation.
What is stress?
What does mental health describe?
A person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how people think, feel, and act
Name one trusted adult you could talk to when experiencing a difficult time.
Parent, guardian, school counselor, teacher, coach, school nurse, or another trusted adult.
Define a coping skill? How is it helpful?
A healthy strategy or activity that helps someone manage stress, difficult emotions, or challenging situations.
Describe positive thinking and optimism?
Focusing on hopeful, encouraging, and realistic thoughts rather than only focusing on the negative.
Name TWO common causes of stress for teenagers
Schoolwork, tests, friendships, family expectations, social media, extracurricular activities, or peer pressure.
A feeling of worry, fear, or nervousness describes what?
What is anxiety?
What is the role of a school counselor?
To support students with academic, social, emotional, and personal challenges and connect them with additional resources when needed.
Name TWO healthy coping skills that teenagers can use when feeling stressed.
Listening to music, exercising, journaling, talking to someone, drawing, taking a break, or spending time outdoors.
A positive statement that encourages confidence, self-worth, and a healthy mindset describes what?
What is a positive affirmation?
What are three possible signs that someone is experiencing stress?
Headaches, trouble sleeping, irritability, difficulty concentrating, feeling overwhelmed, or changes in mood.
A mental health disorder that can involve ongoing sadness, loss of interest in activities, changes in energy, and difficulty with everyday activities.
What is depression?
True or False: Asking for help is a sign of weakness.
False! Asking for help demonstrates courage, self-awareness, and a willingness to take care of yourself.
Paying attention to the present moment without judging your thoughts, feelings, or surroundings describes what?
What is mindfulness?
Change this negative thought into a positive one: "I am terrible at math, and I will never understand it."
"Math is challenging for me right now, but I can improve with practice and help."
What is the difference between positive stress and negative stress?
Positive stress can motivate someone to prepare or reach a goal. Negative stress can feel overwhelming and interfere with daily life.
True or False: Someone with a mental health disorder can still be successful, enjoy friendships, and achieve their goals.
True! With appropriate support and treatment, people with mental health disorders can live meaningful and fulfilling lives.
A friend tells you they have been feeling sad and overwhelmed for several weeks. What are TWO ways you could support them?
Listen without judging, show empathy, encourage them to speak with a trusted adult, and offer to help them connect with the school counselor.
What is the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique designed to help someone do?
Focus on the present moment by identifying:
What is the difference between positive thinking and pretending everything is perfect?
Positive thinking means recognizing challenges while believing you can work through them. It does not mean ignoring problems or pretending difficult feelings do not exist.
A student has three tests, a sports game, and a major project due in the same week. Name TWO healthy strategies the student could use to manage stress.
Create a schedule, break assignments into smaller steps, prioritize responsibilities, take breaks, get enough sleep, or ask for help.
Name TWO common myths about mental health disorders and explain why they are incorrect.
Myth: Mental health disorders are a sign of weakness. Fact: They are health conditions, not character flaws.
Myth: People with mental health disorders cannot get better. Fact: Treatment and support can help people manage symptoms and improve their well-being.
Myth: Only adults experience mental health challenges. Fact: Children and teenagers can experience them, too.
A friend shares that they feel unsafe or might hurt themselves. What should you do?
Take them seriously, tell a trusted adult immediately, and get help from a school counselor or other appropriate professional. Never promise to keep this information a secret.
You are feeling frustrated before an important presentation. Describe how you could use a mindfulness technique to help yourself feel more focused.
Pause, take slow and comfortable breaths, notice your surroundings, acknowledge your feelings, and bring your attention back to the present moment.
A student does not make the basketball team and thinks, "I am a failure." How could the student use positive thinking to change this mindset?
"I am disappointed, but this does not define me. I can continue practicing, improve my skills, and try again."