Mental Health Week is a powerful moment in the school year. It opens the door to conversations that many young people want to have, but don’t always know how to start. For some students, this week will feel reassuring, a chance to name feelings they’ve been carrying quietly. For others, it may feel uncomfortable or emotionally heavy. And for teachers, it can bring a familiar mix of purpose, care, and the quiet worry of “What if I say the wrong thing?”
My daughter is now 25 and thriving at university, but like many young people, she went through a period in her teens when she needed safe spaces to talk and make sense of what she was feeling. I remember those early conversations vividly, wanting to support her, worrying I might say the wrong thing, and realising how hard it can be even when you work with mental health every day.
This pack is inspired by her, and by the many young people I’ve had the privilege of working with over the years. It’s shaped by real conversations, real challenges, and the belief that every student deserves to feel heard, understood, and supported.
The truth is, you don’t need to be a mental health expert to make a difference. What students need most is a calm, safe space, a trusted adult who listens without judgement, and opportunities to explore feelings in ways that feel manageable and relatable. That’s exactly why I created the Mental Health & Resilience Pack, a gentle, strengths‑based resource designed to help teachers guide meaningful discussions with confidence.
This free pack includes ten relatable scenario cards, simple routines for safe dialogue, and guidance to help students explore wellbeing, coping strategies, and resilience in a way that feels hopeful rather than overwhelming. Whether you’re using it in tutor time, PSHE, small‑group work, or as part of your Mental Health Week activities, it’s built to support you in holding conversations that are thoughtful, inclusive, and grounded in care.
Supporting Safe, Meaningful Conversations in the Classroom
When we talk about mental health with young people, the goal isn’t to diagnose, label, or “fix” anything. It’s to create space, space for honesty, space for curiosity, and space for students to realise they’re not alone in how they feel. A few simple approaches can make these conversations feel safer and more manageable for everyone involved.
Start with what students already know
Young people often have more awareness than we expect. Begin with gentle, open prompts:
- “What comes to mind when you hear the word anxiety”
- “What do people mean when they talk about stress”
- “What helps someone feel calmer when things get overwhelming”
This keeps the discussion general and gives students permission to explore ideas without feeling exposed.
Normalise that feelings don’t always have a clear cause
Some students will link their feelings to school, friendships, family, or pressure. Others won’t be able to name a reason at all — and that’s okay. It’s important to reinforce that:
- feelings can come and go
- they don’t always have a neat explanation
- what matters is noticing them and responding kindly
This helps students who worry that their emotions are “wrong” or “too much.”
Help students recognise when someone might be struggling
Without turning it into a checklist, you can explore general signs that a friend might not be okay:
- seeming quieter or more withdrawn
- looking overwhelmed or unusually tired
- finding it harder to join in
- acting differently from their usual self
These are gentle, non‑clinical observations that help students tune into empathy rather than judgement.
Teach what it means to be a good friend
Young people often want to help but don’t know how. You can model simple, safe approaches:
- checking in with kindness
- listening without trying to solve everything
- noticing changes and showing care
- encouraging friends to talk to a trusted adult
This reinforces that support doesn’t mean carrying someone else’s worries, it means being present.
Offer guidance for students who feel overwhelmed themselves
You can help students think about what to do when emotions feel heavy or confusing. It’s safe to explore feelings like:
sadness
worry
anger
loneliness
confusion
overwhelm
numbness
And to gently reinforce that when these feelings build up, it’s important to:
- talk to a trusted adult
- take a break
- use grounding or calming strategies
- spend time with people who feel safe
These are universal, non‑medical approaches that empower students without placing responsibility on them to “fix” anything alone.
A Hopeful, Grounded Message for Students
One of the most important things we can offer young people during Mental Health Week is reassurance. Not empty positivity, but grounded, honest hope. You might want to share messages like:
- How you feel today is not how you will feel forever
- Feelings rise and fall, just like physical energy
- Most people struggle at some point in their lives
- Hard moments don’t define you
- Asking for help is a strength, not weakness
You can also help students understand that emotional pain deserves the same care as physical pain. If your finger hurts, you get it seen. If your leg hurts, you go to the doctor. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, sad, anxious, or stuck, you deserve support in exactly the same way.
This helps remove shame and encourages students to see mental health as part of everyday wellbeing, not something separate or secret.
Encouraging Healthy Coping Strategies
You can explore simple, everyday strategies that many young people find grounding:
- Taking a break or changing environment
- Talking to a trusted adult
- Spending time with people who feel safe
- Using creative outlets
- Getting outside or moving their body
- Breaking tasks into smaller steps
- Practising calm breathing or grounding techniques
These aren’t solutions to everything, but they are tools that help students feel more in control.
Where Students Can Find Support
It’s important to remind students that they don’t have to manage difficult feelings alone. You can encourage them to:
- Speak to a trusted adult at school
- Talk to a parent, carer, or family member
- Reach out to someone they feel safe with
- Use school‑based wellbeing support where available
You can also acknowledge that many organisations provide general wellbeing information for young people.
Download the Free Mental Health & Resilience Pack
The Mental Health & Resilience Pack was created to help teachers guide these conversations with confidence. It includes:
- Ten relatable scenario cards
- Strengths‑based prompts
- Safe discussion routines
- Guidance for creating a calm, inclusive space
- Activities that encourage empathy, reflection, and hope
It’s free for Mental Health Week because every school deserves access to resources that help young people feel seen, supported, and understood.
I really appreciate any feedback. Please get in touch and let me know how this resource worked for you and if there are any ways it can be improved. Thanks in advance.