Mental Health and Wellbeing PSHE Scheme of Work

This six week scheme of work focuses on Mental Health and Wellbeing and is suitable for KS3, KS4 or KS5 in PSHE or form time. The lessons are easy to follow and simple to deliver, and include PowerPoints, handouts, resources and homework. The focus of the scheme is discussion and understanding and the lessons contain a mix of starters, worksheets and videos to help navigate complicated subject matter. At the end of the scheme, students are asked to assess their own learning and show understanding through a roundup activity.

• Lesson 1: Mental Wellbeing
• Lesson 2 Anxiety and Depression
• Lesson 3: Anger and Stress
• Lesson 4: Coping Techniques
• Lesson 5: A Healthier You
• Lesson 6: Supporting Friends

Lesson 1 serves as a general introduction to mental wellbeing by defining key terms, looking at forms of mental health difficulties and their meanings, and considering ways we might keep mentally well. Homework is to put a fact file together on a celebrity who has faced mental health challenges.

Lesson 2 focuses on anxiety and depression, prompting discussion about the difference between normal feelings and mental health challenges, learning to spot the signs of mental health difficulties in ourselves and others, and thinking about how we already manage our mental wellbeing.

Lesson 3 allows students to get to grips with anger and stress through exploring what healthy emotional responses might look like. There are self-evaluation worksheets that ask students to productively think about methods of calming down and bettering their response to difficulties.

Lesson 4 asks students to consider coping techniques. As well as diving into the meaning of self-care, there is a section on harm minimisation explaining how to reduce the risks involved with self-harm and suicidal thoughts. National mental health charities are also signposted.

Lesson 5 looks at the steps we can take to lead healthier lives. Thinking through the basics of healthy living, the lesson builds in a chance for the students to synthesise their learning through practicing strategies such as meditation and colouring. Homework is to keep a self-care diary.

Lesson 6 unpacks how we can support our friends, with focuses on men’s mental health and stigma in different communities. A largely discussion and video-based lesson, there is a worksheet at the end for students to evaluate their learning.