Emotions and Stress
Which statement best describes stress?
The body’s response to any demand or challenge.
Give one example of Eustress
Feeling excited etc..
Name one quick breathing technique students can use to reduce immediate stress.
4-4-4 breathing (inhale 4s, hold 4s, exhale 4s) or box breathing.
What is clinical depression?
A diagnosed mental health condition that lasts for weeks or longer and affects daily life
A classmate says, “Everyone would be better off if I wasn’t here.” What should you do?
a. Assume they are joking
b. Keep it secret so they don’t get mad
c. Take it seriously and tell a trusted adult right away
d. Tell them to just “toughen up”
c. Take it seriously and tell a trusted adult right away
Name two common signs that someone might be experiencing anxiety.
Signs: restlessness, rapid heartbeat, trouble concentrating, excessive worry, sleep problems (any two).
Give an example of Distress
Examples: looming deadlines, high expectations from self/parents, too many assignments, fear of failure.
List two healthy activities that can improve mood and reduce stress.
Physical exercise, journaling, talking to someone, listening to music, art, deep breathing.
Which sign might show someone has clinical depression rather than temporary sadness?
a. Feeling upset for one evening
b. Laughing with friends at lunch
c. Having low mood, sleep or appetite changes for more than two weeks
d. Being nervous before a test
C
Correct this myth: "Only adults get mental health problems." Provide a one-sentence factual correction.
Correction: People of any age, including teens, can experience mental health problems.
True/False: Stress can sometimes be positive and motivate you to do your best.
True
Explain how sleep disruption can both be a cause and a consequence of poor mental health.
Poor sleep increases stress hormones and worsens mood; anxiety/depression can also disrupt sleep patterns.
Taking a short break to breathe and calm down before responding
Time Out
True/False: Depression and clinical depression are exactly the same thing.
False
If YOU are feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, and think about self-harm, what is the BEST action?
a. Keep it to yourself
b. Use alcohol or drugs to numb feelings
c. Reach out to a trusted adult or crisis service immediately
d. Wait and see if it gets worse
c. Reach out to a trusted adult or crisis service immediately
Identify three ways stress can show up physically in the body.
Headaches, stomachaches, muscle tension, sleep disturbance, changes in appetite.
Describe how social media use might contribute to feelings of low self-esteem or stress among teens. Offer two mechanisms.
Mechanisms: social comparison, cyberbullying, disrupted sleep from late-night use, exposure to idealized images.
You're feeling stressed. So you call your best friend, James the custodian, and talk for 10 minutes.
Reach out
What is a warning sign of suicide in a teen?
giving stuff away, saying they don't belong, not hanging out anymore..
Explain why stigma prevents people from seeking help and give one strategy to reduce stigma at school.
Stigma creates fear and shame so people hide problems; Strategy: start education campaigns, share stories, normalize help-seeking, create safe spaces.
Describe how emotional awareness can help prevent escalation during a conflict. Be specific.
Helps identify triggers early, use coping strategies sooner, communicate feelings calmly, and avoid escalating behavior.
Discuss how a major life change (e.g., moving, divorce, loss) might lead to increased risk for depression or anxiety; include two specific pathways (biological, social, or behavioral).
Pathways: increased stress hormones affecting mood (biological); loss of social support (social); disrupted routines and sleep leading to poor coping (behavioral).
Mr Livingston is mad at the class. So he runs down the hall and does 15 pushups, then runs back. He's chill now.
Outline the steps a student should take if they believe a friend is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others. (List succinct, school-appropriate actions.)
Steps: If immediate danger — tell a trusted adult/staff right away, stay with the friend if safe, call emergency services/school crisis team, follow school protocols for safety.
Final Jeopardy :
This is the kind of person you should look for when you’re struggling with your mental health: they listen without judgment, keep you as safe and private as they can, and help you get more support when you need it.
Who is a trusted adult