Time icon
Frequency icon
Material icon

Time

5-20 minutes

Frequency

Weekly / Monthly

Material

Index cards (1 or 2)

Purpose

To help students be aware of their own needs and preferences, to self-advocate and to build their help-seeking behaviours

Students reflect on the following questions and write their responses on index cards. They can share their reflections with their teacher.

  • How do I know when things are not going well for me? (Things that I do/ways that I feel.)
  • How could someone else tell when things are not going well for me?
  • What can I do to help myself cope in school?
    • Listening to music
    • Go for a walk
    • Self-affirmations/Mantras
    • Deep breathing
    • Tangles/Silly putty
    • Journaling/Doodling/Mandalas
    • Prayer
    • Self-talk/Mindfulness
    • Reading
    • Other____________________
  • If the coping strategies listed above are not helping, my next step is: _________________________________
  • What I wish my educator knew about me.
    NOTE: there might be self-disclosures, please know your responsibility to access support.
  • Revisit at least every three months.

Students can keep their completed “Coping strategies card” in their binder, their locker or as a photo on their personal device for quick reference.

Adolescent help-seeking is influenced by “personal motivation, perception of need, self-agency, internalized gender norms, and perceptions of social support as positive” (Barker, 2007). These factors are paramount when it comes to help-seeking in the classroom because they “allow students to constructively re-engage in academic activities when they run into difficulties” (Marchand & Skinner, 2007). Ultimately, help-seeking activities engage students in exploring different ways to self-advocate and understand when and how to seek help.

Marchand, G., & Skinner, E.A. (2007). Motivational Dynamics of Children’s Academic Help-Seeking and Concealment. Journal of Educational Psychology, 99(1), 65-82.

Barker, G. (2007). Adolescents, social support and help-seeking behaviour: an international literature review and programme consultation with recommendations for action. Geneva: WHO.

Using examples from scripture, we can witness how people throughout the gospels have had to persevere through challenges.

(3a) A reflective, creative and holistic thinker who recognizes there is more grace in our world than sin and that hope is essential in facing all challenges.

(3b) A reflective, creative and holistic thinker who creates, adapts, evaluates new ideas in light of the common good.

(4e) A self-directed, responsible lifelong learner who sets appropriate goals and priorities in school, work and personal life.