Mental Health Matters

Stress Management

100

Name ONE healthy way to manage stress at school.

Take a break

Share your feelings/thoughts with a grownup

Practice deep breathing

Journal

200

Name TWO healthy ways to manage stress at home.

Take a break!

Talk to a grownup.

Practice deep breathing.

Journal.

300

What is a benefit of deep breathing?

Slow racing heart.

Increase focus.

Boost mood.

Decrease jitters.

400

What is a benefit of using a planner?

I can prioritize my "to dos"

I can remember things more easily

I can keep my family informed

I can plan

500

Name 3 people I can talk to when stressed.

Your grownup

Mr. O

Ms. Troyer

Ms. Kim

Ms. Woods

Self-Care

100

Name one example of healthy self-care.

Eating healthy food.

Drinking lots of water.

Getting 9 hours of sleep at night.

Seeing a mental health therapist.

200

Name a benefit of sleeping 9 hours each evening.

I can regulate my emotions better

I can be alert in the classroom

I can make better choices for myself

I can fight off any virus better!

300

Is play an example of self-care?

Yes!

400

Why is eating most if not all of the food offered at school an important part of self-care?

It's hard to learn when hungry

Food=fuel for our body and mind

Basic needs must be met in order to grow mentally, physically, emotionally.

500

Name a benefit of journaling.

Putting feelings and thoughts on paper can decrease rumination

Helps process

Helps with perspective finding

Let's Move!

100

Name ONE benefit of daily movement.

Decrease stress

Makes your heart happy

Improves overall health

Boosts mood

200

I can't walk around outside! How can I get my daily exercise?

I can exercise in my room/in my home

I can use items from my home as weights 

I can use my yard

300

If I can't exercise daily, is it still beneficial to exercise as much as I can throughout the week?

Yes! Give your body as much movement as you can.

400

Will regular exercise help me sleep?

Yes! 

500

Will regular exercise decrease my anxiety.

Studies say YES it certainly can!

Coping Skills

100

Name ONE coping skill you use when your feeling anxious?

Deep breathing

I talk to my therapist

I take my prescribed medication

I take a walk

200

Name TWO coping skills for when your mood is low.

Talk to a friend

Exercise

Eat a light snack

Journal

Sit with other people

300

Name ONE benefit of counseling services.

I can have someone to talk to.

I can have time each week to just focus on me.     

I can work on myself.

I can learn tools to make myself feel better.

400

Name ONE benefit of taking prescribed medication as prescribed.

The medication can do what the doctor, my family, and I want it to do.

I can figure out whether it's the right medication for me. 

I can get the side effects under control faster.

500

Tell the class how YOU cope when in the YELLOW ZONE.

I inform the grownups around me of my feelings.

I journal.

I take breaks.

I walk it out.

How to Help a Friend

100

Name one way to help a friend who is feeling anxious.

Spend time with them.

Send a nice text message.

Remind them of their coping skills. 

Offer a snack.

200

Name TWO ways to help a friend who is feeling down.

Spend time with them.

Normalize their feelings.

Remind them of their coping skills.

Inform the grownups around them.

300

Name a resource I would share with a friend experiencing mental health concerns. 

School social worker

School Principal

Teacher

A parent

400

If a friend is not engaging as much, keeping his head on his desk, not eating lunch, and declining to play four square, how will you support him?

Give him time to himself.

Let him know you're here for him if he ever wants to talk.

Don't keep requesting that he engage you.

500

If a friend discloses their mental health concern with you what's a supportive response?

Thank you for sharing.

How can I support you?

Have you spoken with anyone else about this?

Consider talking with (social worker, teacher, principal, etc)