talking to students about their mental learning objectives ... · dear evan hansen is a musical...
TRANSCRIPT
Talking to Students About Their Mental Health: A School Counseling Curriculum Lesson ExemplarPresenter(s) Damien Sweeney
Level: Beginner
This session will show participants a school counseling curriculum lesson that they can use to talk to students about mental health. Participants do not have to be school counselors. Participants will be offered a unique approach that engages students. Participants will interact with one another to explore this topic as a way to learn from one another and gain new ideas on approaching this topic.
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will learn ways to approach talking to students about mental health.2. Participants will learn how to create inclusion activities for students to discuss mental health. 3. Participants will learn information to include in a school counseling curriculum lesson that can help students better understand mental health concerns for their age group. 4. Participants will learn ways to address different learning styles in a lesson plan about mental health.
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Sweeney, D.L. (2016). Professional school counselors : integral stakeholders in the recruitment,
retention, and support of African American, Latino, and low-income students in advanced placement
programs (Publication No.2580). University of Louisville. Think IR: The University of Louisville’s
Institutional Repository.
Howell, P.B., Thomas, S., Sweeney, D. & Vanderhaar, J. (2019) Moving beyond schedules, testing and
other duties as deemed necessary by the principal: The school counselor’s role in trauma informed
practices, Middle School Journal, 50:4, 26-34, DOI: 10.1080/00940771.2019.1650548
Sweeney, D. (February 2018). Want to close the achievement gap? Lace up your shoes and join the
race, The Courier Journal.
Sweeney, D. & Silman, M. (June 2020). Guidance on how districts can facilitate conversations about
race-based stress and trauma. Kentucky Department of Education. Retrieved June 4, 2020 from
https://education.ky.gov/educational/compschcouns/Documents/KDE%20Racial%20Trauma%20Gui
dance%20FINAL.pdf
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How ya feeling?
Learning Targets:●
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On the agenda today…
Just So You Know...
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The Importance and Benefits of Mindfulness:
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You should all have an index card
and something to write with.
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We often treat our own lives like that. We are waiting for the “ball to pop”
and wondering when our next mistake will come or when we will be
found out/called out.
What fears or concerns do you have going into this school year? Are they academic? Are they about
what will happen next year? Are they social? What do you need to do to become prepared so you don’t
have to worry about the unexpected “pop”?
Speaking of fears, let’s take a few minutes to listen to a song and watch this
performance about another student who works to overcome his own distress.
Dear Evan Hansen is a musical that shows how one young man tries to overcome social anxiety, grief and trauma. In the video you are about to see, you will see how Evan’s “light bulb” comes
on and he begins to think about how so many kids struggle with some of the things he has tried to overcome on his own for so very long. The song and video depicts Evan’s realizations that
neither he (nor you) have to be alone.17
Conner signed Evan’s cast and suddenly passed away. This is Evan’s attempt at honoring Conner and showing
other kids that there is life beyond the current circumstance they are struggling with.
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Time to Think●
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all
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It’s okay to not be okay.
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It is easy to point out the “cracks” in our lives.
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all
What sources of strength can you draw from?
one
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What made you choose that character strength for yourself?
How can you use that character strength to help others?
you
Where are 12th graders in their stage of development?
Identity vs. Role Confusion
When thinking about who you are, think about your values, character, how you see others/treat others and what you stand for...
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Self-reflection is a simple way to overcome anxiety and depression.
We will write a song in the next activity in
order for you to self-reflect.
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Now that we’ve done some self-reflection, let’s consider the people or things that influence us.
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Who is helping you in life? How?
Is there anyone who is part of your life that is unhealthy?
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Let’s start thinking about things that we do which help or hurt our lives.
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Do you have one of these items in your pocket or hand right now?
Social Media
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While nobody is asking you to quit
social media, do you need to create some
parameters?
What value is social media bringing to
your life?
Be honest...
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Instead of posting, let’s talk with others.
Reflect on the difference between when someone is fully listening to you versus what it feels like when
you are communicating on social media.
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Is there a relationship you need to work on in your life right now?
If so, many of us wonder what big thing we have to do to improve the relationship or say
we are sorry.
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Forget the roses. What small thing do you
need to do for another person now or soon?
I just wanted you
to know...
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Pull out your phone and text (or email if it is an educator) that person
who has been in the back of your mind today.
all
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Throughout this whole time, we’ve been talking about you ...
Remember that index card?
worth it.44
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