Planning ahead for Mental Health Awareness Month? Me too! I try to focus on specific, actionable skills that students can implement that directly impact and support mental health. Keep reading to find Mental Health Awareness Month activities:
Mental Health Awareness Month Activities
Early Elementary School
1 – Feeling Awareness
Helping kids learn to identify and name their feelings in huge! When they can recognize and identify their feelings, they can take steps to accept and manage them in healthy way.
Read more: 5 things I want kids to know about their feelings
2 – Coping Skills
When kids are dealing with hard feelings, they need skills to help! Practice things like controlled breathing, creative outlets, tension release, and self talk.
Read more: Coping skills for littles
3 – Expressing Feelings & Asking for Help
Being able to use I statements and ask for help is huge at all ages! Teach kids about I statements and safe ways and people to ask for help.
Read more; Communication Skills for Kids
Upper Elementary School
4 – Self Esteem
Self esteem and mental health go hand in hand! Do activities to help kids identify and celebrate what they love about themselves, qualities they have, and why they feel good about themselves.
Read more: Help kids boost confidence
5 – Social Relationships
Social connection and mental health are closely tied. Talk about healthy friendships, seeking social supports, and reaching out to others.
Read more: Essential friendship skills
6 – Empathy
Being able to identify and share emotions of others gives us a mental health boost! It also creates a real human connection that is imperitive for mental health.
Read more: Intro to empathy lesson
Middle School
7 – Anxiety & Depression
Psychoeducation is so important, especially for middle schoolers. Teach them about recognizing and dealing with anxiety, depression, and other relevant topics.
Read more: teach kids about anxiety
8 – Mental Health Success Planning
The simplest way to teach kids about mental health is to create a plan for success. Help them develop an understanding of why certain strategies work to support mental health, and choose strategies that work for them.
Read more: 4 tips for middle school classroom counseling lessons
9 – Identity
Middle schoolers are constantly evolving and learning about their own sense of identity. Give them space to explore and share who they are!
Read more: Self love affirmations for kids
Get counseling resources to support mental health here
