Topics Covered in this Course
- Mental, Emotional, and Social Health:
Covers stress management, self-esteem, and healthy relationships. Under state law, districts must include comprehensive mental health education
, covering the signs, symptoms, treatments, and destigmatization of serious conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and eating disorders.
- Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs:
Focuses on the physiological and social effects of substance abuse. This section emphasizes preventative decision-making and heavily highlights modern public health concerns, such as the dangers of vaping and fentanyl use.
- Nutrition and Physical Activity:
Teaches students how to design balanced dietary plans, understand nutritional labels, map out fitness goals, and balance physical wellness with academic demands.
- Injury Prevention and Safety:
Includes personal safety, digital safety, accident prevention, emergency preparedness, and specialized topics like organ donation awareness and sex trafficking prevention education.
- Personal and Community Health:
Explores how environmental factors impact human wellness, how to prevent disease transmission, and the broader social determinants of health within a community.
- Growth, Development, and Sexual Health:
Governed strictly by the California Healthy Youth Act (CHYA)
. It mandates comprehensive sexual health and HIV prevention education at least once in high school. The material must be medically accurate, objective, and fully LGBTQ+-inclusive.
|
2026 Fall Semester Assignments, Help, and Information
Week 3
Mental, Emotional, and Social Health |
Day 5- Monday August 24- Depression
Syllabus- Last Page Signed Due Today!
Handout
If you or someone you know needs support, you can reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
by calling or texting 988.
Depression is a common, serious medical illness marked by
persistent low mood, loss of interest, and physical changes
. It is a real brain disorder, not a personal weakness, and it can be treated effectively with proper care.
Teen depression does not have a single cause. It usually happens because of
a mix of physical, emotional, and social factors
. Puberty brings fast changes in hormones and brain development, which can affect mood. Environmental stress, family history, and difficult life events also play big parts.
Video- Understanding Depression: What Teens and Young Adults Should Know
Signs and Symptoms
- Emotional:
Persistent sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, or severe irritability.
- Behavioral:
Loss of interest in hobbies, social withdrawal, or uncharacteristic anger.
- Physical:
Ongoing fatigue, sleep issues (insomnia or oversleeping), and appetite or weight shifts.
- Cognitive: Trouble focusing, making choices, or recurring thoughts of death.
Treatments
- Therapy:
Talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, helps change negative thought patterns.
- Medication:
Antidepressant drugs help rebalance brain chemicals.
- Lifestyle:
Daily movement, healthy sleep habits, and social support aid recovery.
- Combined Care:
Using both therapy and medicine works best for many people
Destigmatization
- Use Clear Language:
Treat mental health like physical health, and avoid harsh labels.
- Speak Openly:
Share honest experiences to make asking for help feel normal.
- Show Empathy:
Treat depression with the same care and respect as any other illness.
Today's Activity (5pts)
- Storyboard- 6 Story Segments
- Tell a story of a teen and depression (Can be real or made up)
- 6 Story Segments should be as follows-
- Title Picture
- Cause
- Signs
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Destigmatization
If you or someone you know needs support, you can reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
by calling or texting 988.
Day 6- Wednesday August 26- Anxiety
If you or someone you know needs support, you can reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
by calling or texting 988.
Anxiety in teens involves
intense fear, stress, or worry that disrupts daily life
. It shows up through emotional, behavioral, and physical changes. Effective care combines therapy and lifestyle habits, while stopping stigma requires open and honest conversations.
Video- Fight, Flight, Freeze!
Amygdala is
a pair of small, almond-shaped clusters of neurons located deep inside the brain. It acts as the body's primary danger detector, processing emotions like fear and anger, and triggering the fight-or-flight response
What causes teen Anxiety?- School, peer pressure, social media, difiicult life circumstances, stress, relationships, college, etc...
Symptoms of Teen Anxiety
- Emotional signs:
Constant worry, extreme mood swings, feeling on edge, or seeking too much reassurance
- Behavioral shifts:
Avoiding friends, dropping school performance, or pulling away from favorite hobbies.
- Physical complaints:
Frequent headaches, stomach aches, muscle tension, or trouble sleeping.
Treatments for Teen Anxiety
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
Teaches teens how to change negative thoughts and slowly face fears instead of avoiding them.
- Medication:
Doctors may use SSRI antidepressants if the anxiety is severe.
- Healthy routines:
Regular exercise, good sleep habits, and balanced nutrition support recovery.
Destigmatizing Anxiety
- Talk openly:
Treat mental health the same as physical health by discussing feelings without shame.
- Avoid bad labels:
Do not call a teen "weak" or "dramatic" for feeling stressed.
- Normalize the experience:
Remind teens that anxiety is a common medical condition, not a personal failure
Today's Activity (5pts) Anxiety and Art Therapy
- Anxiety and art therapy can work together because art gives teens another way to communicate. A teen who struggles to say “I feel trapped” might draw a locked door. A teen who cannot explain why school feels overwhelming might create a collage filled with clocks, grades, crowded hallways, and unread messages.
- Worry and Wise Voice Activity- Divide a page into two sides. On one side, draw or write what worry says. On the other side, draw or write a wise, kind, steady response. The wise voice does not have to be falsely positive. It can say, “This feels scary, and I can take one step,” or “I do not need to solve everything tonight.”
- You may use just pictures. Or a comination of words and pictures.
Youth & Teen Support Helplines
- Teen Line:
A unique, confidential teen-to-teen helpline. Call 1-800-852-8336
(6:00 PM to 10:00 PM PST) or text TEEN to 839863
(6:00 PM to 9:00 PM PST). Outside these hours, calls automatically route to adult crisis counselors.
- NAMI Teen & Young Adult HelpLine:
Nationwide peer support offering information and resources. Call 1-800-950-6264
or text Friend to 62640
(Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM ET).
If you or someone you know needs support, you can reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
by calling or texting 988.
Day 7- Friday August 28- PTSD
If you or someone you know needs support, you can reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
by calling or texting 988.
Ask Coach B- 2nd Edition
Teen post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) involves severe emotional and physical reactions after a deeply stressful event. Common symptoms include
flashbacks, avoidance of triggers, negative mood changes, and hyperarousal
. Effective treatments rely on trauma-informed therapies like CBT and EMDR, while destigmatization requires open education and empathetic support from families and communities
Common Causes of PTSD in Teens
- Severe accidents:
Car, bus, or plane crashes.
- Violence:
Physical or sexual assault, abuse, or community violence.
- Natural disasters:
Wildfires, earthquakes, or severe floods.
- Medical trauma:
Life-threatening diagnoses or painful procedures.
- Loss or fear:
Sudden loss of a loved one, severe bullying, or acts of terrorism.
Symptoms of Teen PTSD
- Intrusive memories:
Nightmares, flashbacks, or unwanted vivid thoughts about the event.
- Avoidance:
Staying away from places, people, or topics that bring back memories of the trauma.
- Negative mood changes:
Ongoing sadness, guilt, numbness, or loss of interest in normal activities.
- Hyperarousal:
Being easily startled, constantly on edge, irritable, or having trouble sleeping and concentrating
Treatments for Teen PTSD
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT):
Helps teens process memories and change unhelpful thoughts in a safe space.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR):
Uses guided eye movements to help the brain reprocess upsetting and stuck memories.
- Medication:
Doctors may occasionally prescribe anti-anxiety or antidepressant medications to help manage severe distress.
- Family Support:
Caregiver involvement builds safety and helps extend healing from the therapist's office into the home
Destigmatizing Teen PTSD
- Use clear education:
Teach teens and adults that PTSD is a physical and psychological injury from stress, not a personal weakness.
- Encourage open dialogue:
Normalize talking about mental health and trauma in schools and homes without judgment.
- Share stories:
Lift up real experiences of recovery to show that getting help leads to healing and strength.
Today's Activity (5pts)
- Google Slides Presentation- 7 Slides
- Slide 1- Title Slide
- Slide 2- Define PTSD
- Slide 3- Why are teens different
- Slide 4- Symptoms
- Slide 5- Hidden Signs
- Slide 6- Recovery Methods
- Slide 7- Teen PTSD Resources
If you or someone you know needs support, you can reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
by calling or texting 988.
Test coming your way end of next week... (25 questions, 25 points)
|
Week 2
Mental, Emotional, and Social Health |
Day 3- Tuesday August 18- Self-Esteem
Syllabus- Last Page Signed Due Friday!
Review Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem means feeling good about yourself. People with self-esteem feel liked and accepted. They’re proud of what they do and believe in themselves. People with low self-esteem are hard on themselves and think they’re not good enough.
Building self-esteem as a teenager takes time and practice. Key steps include
challenging negative self-talk, setting realistic goals, surrounding yourself with supportive people, and practicing self-compassion.
Daily Habits
- Notice your inner voice
: Catch yourself when you are being too hard on yourself.
- Reframe negative thoughts
: Change unfair or harsh thoughts into kind, realistic statements.
- Write down wins
: List three good things or small successes that happened each day.
- Limit social media
: Step away from apps or accounts that make you feel bad about yourself.
Growth and Action
- Set small goals
: Pick easy, achievable targets and work toward them step by step.
- Try new hobbies
: Find an art, sport, or skill you enjoy just for fun.
- Help others
: Do small acts of kindness or volunteer to boost your sense of purpose.
- Choose good friends
: Spend time with people who respect you and treat you well.
Article- How Can I Improve My Self-Esteem?
- Read Article
- Discuss Article
- Google Slide Assignment
- 5 Slides
- Each Slide Needs Text and Images
- Positive Self Esteem strategies you use or may try
- Due at end of class today
- Share Google Slide with Coach B
What can you do if you have severe self-esteem issues?
Day 4- Thursday August 20- Healthy Relationships
I want your parent signature on your Syllabus!!
End of the Week- Ask Coach B (Every Thursday or Friday)
Healthy Relationships-
Healthy relationships for teenagers are built on
mutual respect, clear boundaries, and open communication
. They allow both people to feel safe, valued, and supported while keeping their own friends, hobbies, and independence
Key Signs of a Healthy Relationship=
- Respect:
You value each other's thoughts, feelings, and personal boundaries without making fun of them.
- Trust and Honesty:
You feel safe to tell the truth and do not need to check up on each other constantly.
- Independence:
You both have time for school, family, and other friends outside of the relationship.
- Good Communication:
You can talk through disagreements calmly and listen without judging.
- Consent:
Both people always agree on what they are comfortable doing, and "no" is always respected.
Warning Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship-
- Control:
One person demands to know where you are at all times or tells you who you can see.
- Disrespect:
Constant teasing, put-downs, or making you feel bad about yourself.
- Pressure:
Being forced or pressured to do things you do not want to do.
- Fear:
Feeling nervous, anxious, or scared of making the other person angry.
Core Rules for Healthy Digital Boundaries-
- Set availability limits:
You do not need to reply to texts or messages immediately. It is okay to turn off notifications or step away.
- Keep private info private:
Do not share passwords, home addresses, or sensitive personal photos, even with close online friends or partners.
- Recognize pressure and control:
Expecting constant location sharing, rapid replies, or demanding passwords are signs of an unhealthy or toxic dynamic.
- Value face-to-face time:
Real-life hangouts build social skills and emotional cues that texting and screens cannot replace.
Video- Healthy Online Relationships
- Watch Video
- Discuss Video
Article- Am I in a Healthy Relationship?
- Read Article
- Discuss Article
- Google Slide Assignment (5pts)
- Share Google Slide Presentation with Coach B
- 5 Slides
- Pick a "Friend"- Online or in Person Relationship
- Do not name your friend- Refer to this person as "Casey"
- Slide 1- Is this person you have chosen a "Healthy" Friend?
- Slides 2-5- Each of the 4 slides should support your decision or a Healthy or Unhealthy Relationship
West Ranch Wellness Center Visit
|
Week 1
Mental, Emotional, and Social Health |
Day 1- Wednesday August 12
Syllabus
Class Rules
Topics Covered in this Class- Google Slides
About Coach B
Day 2- Friday August 14- Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Start of Class-
- Collect Signed Syllabus
- Seating Chart Day- Sit next to a friend
Information for Today-
- Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs-
- Maslow's hierarchy of needs is
a psychological theory of motivation proposing that human beings are driven by five tiered categories of needs
- Video- Maslow Hierarchy of Need
- Stress-
- Flight, Fight, or Freeze Responses
- Stress is a natural physical and mental response
to challenging, demanding, or threatening situations.
- Physical:
Frequent tension headaches, muscle tightness, chest pain, constant fatigue, trouble sleeping, or digestive issues.
- Emotional:
Feelings of anxiety, constant worry,irritability, sadness, or a sensation of being easily overwhelmed.
- Behavioral:
Changes in appetite, socialwithdrawal, difficulty concentrating, grinding teeth, or an increased reliance on alcohol or substances
- Stress Mamagement Techniques
- Practice Deep Breathing:
Slow, focused breaths signal your nervous system to trigger the "relaxation response," effectively counteracting your body's fight-or-flight reaction.
- Stay Physically Active:
Regular exercise releases endorphins, which act as natural mood lifters and help relieve accumulated muscle tension.
- Set Firm Boundaries:
Learn to analyze your schedule and say "no" to non-essential responsibilities that overwhelm your capacity.
- Connect with a Support System:
Talking through your challenges with trusted friends, family members, or peers can significantly reduce the emotional burden.
- Video- Reduce Physical Stress Video
- Video- Square Breathing Exercise Video
- Article- Examples of High Stress Jobs
- Website- Get Your Stress Score
- Student Drawing- 5pts (Due at end of class)
- Front- Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs- Make Personal
- Back-Picture of You Stressed W/ Symptoms
- Wellness Center
-
|
|
