Activity: Building Resilience for Mental Wellbeing

Objective: By the end of this activity, students will understand the importance of mental wellbeing and how it can be fostered and strengthened through personal coping skills and positive relationships. They will also recognize that support is available when facing challenges to mental health.

Curriculum Links: - Health and Wellbeing: Mental, Emotional, Social, and Physical Wellbeing - Personal and Social Development: Building Resilience

Materials Needed: - Whiteboard or flipchart - Markers - Handouts with coping strategies (optional)

Duration: 60 minutes

Procedure:

1. Introduction (10 minutes): a. Begin by discussing the concept of mental wellbeing with the students. Ask them what they think mental wellbeing means and why it is important. b. Explain that mental wellbeing refers to how we think, feel, and cope with the daily challenges of life. It affects our emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. c. Emphasize that mental wellbeing is not always constant, and everyone faces challenges at times. However, there are ways to foster and strengthen mental wellbeing.

2. Brainstorming Coping Skills (15 minutes): a. Divide the students into small groups. b. Provide each group with a whiteboard or flipchart and markers. c. Instruct the groups to brainstorm coping skills or strategies that can help build resilience and promote mental wellbeing. d. After 10 minutes, ask each group to share their ideas with the whole class. e. Write down the coping strategies on the whiteboard or flipchart.

3. Role-Play Scenarios (20 minutes): a. Divide the students into pairs. b. Provide each pair with a role-play scenario related to a challenging situation that may impact mental wellbeing (e.g., exam stress, friendship issues, family problems). c. Instruct the pairs to act out the scenario, demonstrating how they would use the coping strategies discussed earlier to build resilience and maintain mental wellbeing. d. After each role-play, encourage the class to discuss the strategies used and their effectiveness.

4. Support and Resources (10 minutes): a. Explain to the students that even with coping skills, there may be times when mental wellbeing is affected, and additional support is needed. b. Discuss the various support systems available, such as school counselors, helplines, and trusted adults. c. Provide handouts with contact information for local support services, if available.

5. Reflection and Conclusion (5 minutes): a. Ask the students to reflect on what they have learned about building resilience and fostering mental wellbeing. b. Have a brief class discussion on the importance of seeking support when needed and the role of positive relationships in maintaining mental wellbeing. c. Summarize the key points discussed during the activity.

Extension: - Encourage students to create their own personal coping strategies toolkit, including activities or techniques that help them build resilience and maintain mental wellbeing. - Invite a guest speaker, such as a mental health professional or counselor, to talk about the importance of mental wellbeing and share additional coping strategies.

Note: It is essential to create a safe and supportive environment during this activity. Be mindful of any sensitive topics that may arise and ensure that students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences.