Scenarios
The teacher is giving directions, but your friend sitting next to you keeps talking. You can't hear the directions.
Ignore them, signal for them to wait, ask to take space, etc
What’s a respectful way to express disagreement in a conversation?
A respectful way to express disagreement is to use "I feel" statements (e.g., “I feel differently about that because…”) and stay calm.
Why is talking down to someone (degrading language) unhelpful during an argument?
Degrading language is an attempt to express negative feelings while making sure your partner feels just as bad. Doing so leads to more character attacks while the original issue is forgotten.
Why are coping skills important?
Coping skills are essential for maintaining mental health and well-being. They provide individuals with the ability to manage stress, regulate emotions, and navigate challenging situations effectively.
True or False: It’s important to raise your voice when disagreeing.
False - Raising your voice often escalates the situation. It's important to stay calm and express your thoughts clearly.
Your friend bailed on going to the movies with you by saying he was sick. Later you hear that he spent the day with a different friend instead.
Talk to the friend, reflect if the friendship is still positive
How can you keep a conversation calm during a disagreement?
To keep calm, you can use deep breathing, stay mindful, and listen actively without interrupting. Using a coping skill during or after the disagreement.
How can emotions be a barrier to effective communication?
-Fear may cause the person to not feel safe telling the truth
-Defensiveness can cause feelings of being attacked or judged and can lead to a defensive response, making it difficult to engage in open and honest communication
-Intense emotions or emotional flooding can overwhelm their ability to think clearly or function effectively.
Why is mental health self-care important?
Mental health self-care is crucial for overall well-being as it helps manage stress, improves mood, builds resilience, and prevents burnout. By prioritizing self-care, individuals can better handle life's challenges, maintain a healthy balance, and enhance their emotional well-being. Self-care also supports physical health, which in turn positively impacts mental health.
What is the importance of pausing before responding in a misunderstanding?
Pausing gives you a moment to process the information and respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.
You borrowed your friends's skates one day without asking and they broke while you were using them.
Apologize, ask to make it up to them, replace the skates, share what you can do differently next time
What’s a strategy to end a disagreement on a positive note?
To end a disagreement positively, you can express appreciation (e.g., “Thanks for sharing your perspective”) or agree to disagree. Some people also like to end with a hug or planning a check-in.
How can cultural differences effect communication?
People might have different expectations for how to communicate respectfully. For example, While direct eye contact is often valued in Western cultures like the US and Canada as a sign of attentiveness, confidence, and honesty, it can be perceived as disrespectful or even aggressive in many East Asian, Caribbean, and African cultures.
What makes mental health self-care different from physical self care?
Physical self-care focuses on actions that benefit the body, like healthy eating and exercise, while mental self-care focuses on actions that improve emotional well-being.
Example: showering and maintaining hygiene is physical self-care, taking a long shower or bath to relax would be adding mental health self-care
True or False: Taking space means being selfish or arrogant
False - Taking space is healthy and can benefit both/all people involved
Teams are tied and its the last inning. You are just about to score the winning point, but the umpire says "you're out." You think you made it to the plate before the catcher caught the ball. What do you do?
Ask the coach about it, brush it off, accept that the umpire make a mistake, respectfully share your perspective
How can you work with someone to find a compromise during a disagreement?
You can work toward compromise by listening to both sides, identifying common ground, and finding a solution that works for both parties
What are sweeping generalizations?
A sweeping generalization takes a general truth and applies it to a specific instance where that truth doesn't necessarily hold true
ex. "I met a rude person in school, everyone at school is horrible."
*similar to a hasty generalization which draws a broad conclusion from insufficient evidence
Name 5 coping skills
Examples - taking space, deep breathing, going for a walk, exercise, coloring, reading, playing a game, eating a healthy snack, meditation, yoga
how many stitches are on every baseball?
108 stitches
Your friend shares that they don't feel safe at home and asks you not to tell anyone. What do you do?
Tell an adult. Your friend might get mad, but safety is more important
What is an "I statement?" Why is it a helpful communication skill to use during a disagreement?
I feel _____________,
Because __________.
I need ____________.
Using I statements help to not place blame and express issues clearly. If you can identify needs, it can help to find a resolution that feels helpful for both people
What is stonewalling? What does it look like?
Stonewalling is a communication tactic, often occurring during conflict, where one person emotionally shuts down and refuses to engage in a conversation.
Silent treatment, lack of responsiveness, engaging in other behaviors that signal disengagement, Physically or emotionally removing oneself from the interaction
Demonstrate a coping skill
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What makes you feel confident?
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