CurriculumGrades 9-12Health & Physical Education

Mental health, stress management, and help-seeking

Aligned to NHES 7 — SHAPE America National Standards.

What this lesson teaches

Late adolescence carries higher rates of anxiety, depression, and even suicide risk, so coping skills and knowing how to get help are essential protective factors. Managing stress, recognizing warning signs in yourself and others, and reducing stigma can be lifesaving. Asking for help is wise and normal, and resources like counselors and crisis lines exist for exactly this.

Worked example

If a friend talked about feeling hopeless or hinted at hurting themselves, the right move is to take it seriously, stay with them, and connect them to a trusted adult or a crisis line right away.

Practice questions

  1. Name two healthy ways to manage stress.
  2. What are warning signs that someone is struggling?
  3. Where can you turn for help in a mental health crisis?

Watch the lesson

Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.

▶ Watch this lesson

En español

Salud mental, manejo del estrés y búsqueda de ayuda

La adolescencia tardía conlleva tasas más altas de ansiedad, depresión e incluso riesgo de suicidio, por lo que las habilidades para manejar situaciones difíciles y saber cómo pedir ayuda son factores de protección esenciales. Manejar el estrés, reconocer señales de alerta en ti mismo y en los demás, y reducir el estigma puede salvar vidas. Pedir ayuda es una decisión inteligente y normal; para eso existen recursos como orientadores y líneas de crisis.

Ejemplo: Si un amigo habla de sentirse sin esperanza o insinúa que podría hacerse daño, lo correcto es tomar la situación en serio, quedarte con él y ponerlo en contacto con un adulto de confianza o una línea de crisis de inmediato.

More Health lessons

Nutrition and food choices for independent livingNHES 1Healthy relationships, consent, and sexual healthNHES 4Substance use prevention and decision-makingNHES 5Accessing health care and self-advocacyNHES 3Personal health, sleep, and disease preventionNHES 1Communication, conflict resolution, and advocacyNHES 4

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